Topic: Re: Blog Thread IIIb : Look Who's Blogging Now (Read 251904 times)

Patrick · « **Reply #2800 on:** 17 Jul 2012, 11:34 »

Holy fuck

This page right now

Zingoleb · « **Reply #2801 on:** 18 Jul 2012, 16:14 »

Apparently her father called 911, in Florida. A cop showed up at her door five minutes later, and he left her alone and he left her fucking gun the piece of shit fucking goddamn waste of human flesh.

I'm cutting my trip on the east coast short. I'm not going to stay here much longer (I'm already filled with nothing but a hollow rage at my family, most of whom I want to see dead for the sheer blatant disrespect being shown to me), and my father who promised me help with the flight ticket back is now rescinding the offer. I'll just have to bus it.

I am full of so much rage right now.

Carl-E · « **Reply #2802 on:** 19 Jul 2012, 19:12 »

Quote from: lepetitfromage on 17 Jul 2012, 06:08

Make sure you look into COBRA asap- health insurance will be one less thing for you to worry about.

Yeah, I've looked. I have really good insurance. About $1400/moth worth. No way I can afford it without my (former) employer paying most of it.

Fortunately, there's medicare/medicaid. She's already on it, it takes care of the myriad deductibles. Soon, it will have to take care of everything. My wife's also on it, and my other daughter has insurance through her work.

So really, it's just me that will have no health insurance.

Quote from: jwhouk on 17 Jul 2012, 06:12

Please tell me this isn't PSU related...

No, no. Penn State isn't a state school, despite the name (and it's non-union). I was working for the PA state system of higher education (PASSHE), a system of 14 universities around the state, each named for the town they're in, ending with "University of Pennsylvania".

Zingo, so sorry about all the bullshit from all sides. Good luck, and safe travelling.

lepetitfromage · « **Reply #2803 on:** 20 Jul 2012, 09:44 »

Carl,

Ok, so that means that you just have to be REALLY careful until you are insured again. Shall we get started on a bubble?

In all seriousness though, I'm glad to hear that your daughters and your wife are covered. But why aren't you eligible as well?

Zing,

Best of luck with everything. I know it doesn't need to be said, but that cop is a total imbecile. It disgusts me when people in such positions don't exercise common sense or decent judgment. What a fucking ass.

Zingoleb · « **Reply #2804 on:** 20 Jul 2012, 13:00 »

A couple friends have stepped in and tossed a bit of cash my way, which means I'll see it on Monday or Tuesday. Hopefully flight prices won't jump too dramatically by then.

I've managed to talk her out of going to Florida; she wants to live with me in Olympia. I'm not sure how things will work out, but I'm hopeful. She seems to be doing okay right now, but...she's also a good actor.

(I kind of want to kill my father's girlfriend; she told me just to cheer up because there was nothing I can do for her but send positive thoughts.)

pwhodges · « **Reply #2805 on:** 20 Jul 2012, 15:04 »

I shall be occupied tomorrow; my daughter is getting married.

This is her about 30 years ago:

She was sitting on a stone in the middle of Otmoor, near Oxford; the stone is shown on the Ordnance Survey maps, as "Joseph's Stone", and is alongside the path of a Roman road.

She is more grown up now - this is her earlier this year:

Carl-E · « **Reply #2806 on:** 20 Jul 2012, 16:08 »

Paul, Mazel tov!

LPT, They're both partially disabled, ad so get some SSI benefits (not much) and medicare. I don't qualify... yet.

Ad last night, I slipped and fell. Caught myself with the left arm and wrenced the shoulder pretty well. Can't raise my left arm today. Probably the rotator cuff.

Oh, did I mention I'm left handed?

FFFFUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU.........................................

Welu · « **Reply #2807 on:** 21 Jul 2012, 06:41 »

A friend of a friend is offering to host a one-off story for Star Wars table-top game for me to introduce me to the RPing world. I always thought my friends took it super seriously so it seemed off-putting to join them but they actually are very casual. I'm intrigued.

Patrick · « **Reply #2808 on:** 21 Jul 2012, 17:56 »

Mixing sessions FINALLY start for Troubador's album tomorrow morning before band practice! I'm super excited about this. I can't wait to hear what they sound like once we're done fiddling about with things. Unfffffffffffffffff

dr. nervioso · « **Reply #2809 on:** 21 Jul 2012, 21:04 »

Welp blogopeople,

I have been feeling reflective lately, which isn't necessarily bad, this bout of introspection has had very little experience every mistake you've made. But it still feels odd. I think this has been brought on by my odd sleep schedule and that I fell asleep on the couch last night. Also, I went to a party with a good group of friends and acquaintances that I won't see for at least a few months, maybe even longer than that. I am also going to a going awa party Tuesday for someone i met last summer, and I will also be saying goodbye to people for the semester or more.

So I am going to list a few things I have noticed over the past three years:
1. My life has changed radically so many times in the past 3 years. Different houses, brothers becoming part of the real world. Andjust now I listened to a song b an old musician friend of mine. I though it was recorded two years ago, but it was just one. So time is going too damn slow
2. There is no way I will ever be able to live alone. I was pretty much isolated from what could be called my social life for the past few weeks and learned that I pretty much go crazy without people
3. I am not even comfortable in my own bathroom. I must check the shower,the cabinet and drawers before I can do anything. I am a complete mess in a strange bathroom.

My life right now is pretty great, good weather, good friends,been experimenting with cooking. By all measures, I shouuld be feeling pretty happy. But I don't feel like it. I just feel weird, not like I'm falling but like I am just stuck in the air.

Lupercal · « **Reply #2810 on:** 22 Jul 2012, 03:48 »

So the Olympics is happening what, next week? and I'm having to plan around getting home from work as I'm apparently in a "hotspot" of activity (Holborn). It's very strange, because I hardly know London at all yet, and I'm being told to "get ahead of the games" and "plan my route" home.

Well, I get on at Holborn, travel three stops to Liverpool St and then get off there for the overground. All in all the underground portion doesn't take more than fifteen minutes, yet I'm being told to take evasive action...the only way I can avoid crowds, presumably, is to either walk to Liverpool St (probably a good half hour +) and delay my journey home, or walk to the stop preceeding Holborn (Tottenham Court Road), so that I can actually get a train to Liverpool St anyway.

London is busy enough as it is, I'm constantly surprised by the amount of people willing to jump out into fast-moving traffic just to get across the road into a coffee shop or something.

Welu · « **Reply #2811 on:** 22 Jul 2012, 09:17 »

Had a job interview yesterday. Think it went okay but probably won't get it since I can't be as flexible as would be liked.

LTK · « **Reply #2812 on:** 22 Jul 2012, 16:59 »

Last week I found some small, pink plaques of round pellets (about 0.1 mm in diameter) arranged in a honeycomb pattern on the windowsill. I figured they were insect eggs, so I obviously couldn't let them lie there, but I was curious to what would come out, so I put them carefully in a small matchbox and put that on a shelf in the garage. When I remembered to look at them today, the matchbox was completely empty, with no trace of insects, eggs, or remains of eggs. Whatever was in them must have hatched and crawled out. Such a shame that I can't find out what it was.

Thomas Edison · « **Reply #2813 on:** 22 Jul 2012, 17:06 »

Maybe they escaped...

to the inside of your brain whilst you slept.

Papersatan · « **Reply #2814 on:** 22 Jul 2012, 21:09 »

Steve and I went camping this weekend on some property in norther Michigan that one of my partner's owns. He and his wife have about 12 acres in the woods with a little cabin on it, no water or electric. They invited a few people up to spend the weekend hanging out and drinking. I had a really good time. I have not been camping in years. I made them all dinner one night and Steve and I made breakfast the next morning and everyone seemed impressed.

Sat night my partner and I tromped off to a clearing to lay in the grass and look at the stars. I was pretty drunk and it was so beautiful that I cried. Drunk on rum and the feelings the stars make me feel I poured out a bunch of feelings to him and made him cry (good tears). It was crazy and intense.

Sunday afternoon we went swimming and now Steve and I have the worst sunburns.

Skewbrow · « **Reply #2815 on:** 23 Jul 2012, 03:30 »

Started the blueberry foraging season yesterday. I am slow at picking them, because my fingers are a bit clumsy, and I spend too much picking out leaves and other unwanted pieces from the bucket. Looks like the rainy summer means that this year's crops won't be quite a bountiful as last year's. The blueberry bushes are so low that I usually just sit on the ground while picking (having mercy on my back). That has the side effect that my underwear gets a funny blueberry color. Anyway, the missus rewarded the family with some blueberry pie afterwards, so it was worth my while.

Carl-E · « **Reply #2816 on:** 23 Jul 2012, 09:36 »

Sang at a funeral this morning.

Off to file for unemployment this afternoon.

Jace · « **Reply #2817 on:** 23 Jul 2012, 11:20 »

Was wondering what was up with my gums kinda hurting on one side, thought maybe I jabbed it with a chip or something, nope, feels like the tooth is trying to come through the top.
Maybe 3.5 years is too long to go without dentistry.

ackblom12 · « **Reply #2818 on:** 23 Jul 2012, 11:28 »

I'm kinda feeling the same about 11 years...

nekowafer · « **Reply #2819 on:** 23 Jul 2012, 12:57 »

Yeah I went 15 years or so without a dentist. And then I had 7 cavities drilled. And soon I may need an implant and all four wisdom teeth removed.

Omega Entity · « **Reply #2820 on:** 23 Jul 2012, 14:59 »

At least if the wisdom teeth are already erupted, they usually aren't too bad. the one I had removed took all of 10 seconds for my dentist to get out, not including the time it took to numb me up. Now the molar I had out, on the other hand...

EDIT:

Lured this skittish little guy in with some food from my neighbor's backyard - he was really hungry! I couldn't get him to come close enough to catch last night, so I decided that if he was still around today I'd catch him and take him to the no-kill shelter where I adopted my cats from - we live near a busy road, and no cats should be out loose around here, let alone one that small. I put him at between 6 to 8 weeks. Unfortunately the shelter's full up, and I don't dare take him to animal control, so we'll have a houseguest until either a spot opens up, or I can find him a home. That little guy cleaned out a can of wet food that probably weighed more than half of what he does!

Welu · « **Reply #2821 on:** 23 Jul 2012, 15:52 »

I went about five years without a dentist until I got braces. The one I was going to died and they were meant to be getting me on track for braces. Damn, that sounds spoiled... Ragging on the person who committed suicide because my teeth were crooked. However due to the slowness of the NHS system and me taking a gap year, I finally received a letter two days after I turned eighteen. So we had to pay for them! Then another year of getting bounced in the private system but my orthodontist charged the under-eighteen price which is very nice of him since it's about a grand less.

In fairness to the system, I don't think it's usually pretty good. I was just in one of the not usual cases.

pwhodges · « **Reply #2822 on:** 23 Jul 2012, 17:56 »

I don't like it when servers misbehave and keep me up til 2am. In particular, I had to cycle in at midnight to press a power button on one machine because rebooting was blocked by a deadlock in the shutdown (yes, I'd installed a hotfix relating to exactly that, but had to do the reboot to complete the installation).

Especially, I don't like it when the virtual machine hosts say in unison that they can't see the RAID array, there is no Cluster configuration, and there are no VMs - all at the same time. All is good now, of course, and no-one in the office will have noticed - this is why my employers love me.

Carl-E · « **Reply #2823 on:** 23 Jul 2012, 18:27 »

That was always the goal when I worked in radio or the theatre - to do your job in such a way that no one in the audience would notice you were doing anything...

Redball · « **Reply #2824 on:** 23 Jul 2012, 19:04 »

I wasn't good enough to be invisible while I managed my newspaper's computer system, a demanding "side job" besides my copy editing/assignment duties. Bastard computer was fractious; terminal wiring overheated and needed frequent resoldering, of all things! So I'd ask users, "How's it running today?" and believed myself to be politick, comforting, nurturing, by checking in with them. Best of all, when working on terminals and floor wiring down in Classified, was telling any of the ad-takers, all young women: "Linda (or Nancy, or whomsoever), keep your knees together!" But all in all, with the editorial duties and the computer duties competing for my time, I had the best of both worlds. And the legs of young women were the least of it.

Zingoleb · « **Reply #2825 on:** 24 Jul 2012, 00:34 »

Quote from: Omega Entity on 23 Jul 2012, 14:59

take him to the no-kill shelter

Ask questions. I used to work (well, volunteer) with animal adoption, and the local no-kill shelter, as it turns out, won't kill animals, but they will fob them off to Animal Control and let AC kill them. :/

How I found out was that a woman who took care of cats (took care of them, vet bills, food, housing, all that - just to give them away!) ended up giving one of her cats to PAWS (which was the no-kill shelter), only to have Animal Control ask her to take in a cat they couldn't keep a few months later - and it was the some one! I'd be pretty pissed at PAWS was it still together - it apparently fell apart in the year I've been away. Now AC is the only place to take a stray, and I would hate to do that.

So, yeah. Ask questions.

lepetitfromage · « **Reply #2826 on:** 24 Jul 2012, 05:45 »

Awww, Kitty!!!!

He is absolutely darling! Look at those pretty eyes

I'm sure you'll be able to find him a home soon. I'd take him if I could be guaranteed that Fuzz wouldn't eat him....she can be a beast around other kitties.

Re: Dental Fun-

It's amusing to me that dental issues were brought up because I came in here initially to bitch and moan about my mouth and the fact that it's going to cost me a shitload of money!

I went for 7 years or so without a dentist because I didn't have insurance and when I went back my teeth were fine, but my jaw decided to attack me (I have TMJ). The dentist and I have been talking about taking care of it and I'm finally pulling the trigger. I'm getting a mold taken of my teeth on Thursday, then I'll be receiving a splint in about 3 weeks that I have to wear 24/7. It will reposition my jaw and correct my severe overbite. Apparently, TMJ is related to a lot of other issues that should be resolved with the splint treatment. It can heighten chances of suffering from sinus infections, causes neck and shoulder pain, ear clogs and sleep disturbances. And apparently, more severe cases can actually have adverse effects on your brain function. There have been a lot of studies linking TMJ to depression and anxiety. In most people, it causes severe headaches and jaw pain but luckily I don't have to deal with that too much.

I'm not looking forward to wearing the splint, but I definitely want to resolve all of these issues. I thought they were all just because of anxiety and/or allergies, but if this treatment is going to fix things that I thought I was stuck with forever, I'll be so freaking happy.

Akima · « **Reply #2827 on:** 24 Jul 2012, 06:45 »

Quote from: pwhodges on 23 Jul 2012, 17:56

All is good now, of course, and no-one in the office will have noticed - this is why my employers love me.

Sysadmins. Never was so much owed by so many to so few.

Omega Entity · « **Reply #2828 on:** 24 Jul 2012, 08:53 »

Quote from: Zingoleb on 24 Jul 2012, 00:34

Quote from: Omega Entity on 23 Jul 2012, 14:59
take him to the no-kill shelter

Ask questions. I used to work (well, volunteer) with animal adoption, and the local no-kill shelter, as it turns out, won't kill animals, but they will fob them off to Animal Control and let AC kill them. :/

How I found out was that a woman who took care of cats (took care of them, vet bills, food, housing, all that - just to give them away!) ended up giving one of her cats to PAWS (which was the no-kill shelter), only to have Animal Control ask her to take in a cat they couldn't keep a few months later - and it was the some one! I'd be pretty pissed at PAWS was it still together - it apparently fell apart in the year I've been away. Now AC is the only place to take a stray, and I would hate to do that.

So, yeah. Ask questions.

You know, when I spoke with them on the phone, she had mentioned that they had even had to do that, and it didn't even click at the time.

Either way, kitty now has a home with my next-door neighbor

Aimless · « **Reply #2829 on:** 24 Jul 2012, 16:12 »

Survived my first night on call! Started at 3 PM, came home ca. 10 AM, a total zombie. 'nother shift tomorrow

Am slowly figuring out how to make use of my "idle" time to fiddle with notes, instructions etc. Was really on edge last night so I floated around in the hospital between the ER and various wards. Was visited by the ginger who brought delicious food <3 I kept waiting for something terrible to happen, and by "something terrible" I of course mean "acute 'millions of brain-cells dying every second you waste' stroke". Ca. 7 AM I finally collapsed, fervently hoping that I'd succeeded in cheating fate, fell asleep and had a nightmare about the stroke-pager going nuts but somehow I escaped.

And then the stroke pager went nuts just 15 mins before I was supposed to get off my shift. On the bright side, I'd forgotten to set the alarm so its hellish beeping was actually very timely. Moreover, it was a very effective stimulant. The sun seemed to shine brighter today. The walk home was blissful. On the down-side I was too knackered to do anything much once I got home, didn't take the opportunity to lie in the sun, and collapsed for real ca. 5 PM just before the ginger got home.

Still, it's been good, and tomorrow's gonna be better I think

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3f3pTbKmow

Patrick · « **Reply #2830 on:** 24 Jul 2012, 20:09 »

Sunday my bandie Matt and I spent 3 hours doing some mixing work with our producer on some of the songs for the upcoming Troubador album. Things are sounding pretty good, but it's still only about 40% done in that stage, and that's counting the single (+ b-side) we've already released, both of which are included on the album. So that's kinda a bummer. But, at least we're finally making headway on it!

After that wrapped up for the day, band practice with our drummer. We worked out 4 new songs! One of them has a three-part vocal harmony that we will all sing live (and we'll probably record a live take when the time comes for the next record), makes me think of The Band. Fuckin stoked on all the new jams we finished. And I'm writing a new one by myself, and I plan to introduce it to the boys next practice. It's this riproarin rockabilly kinda jam with a lick I would love to play in Nashville someday, and it's right up our sound's alley.

Last two nights have been spent drinking, so now I'm gonna pass out forever.

Papersatan · « **Reply #2831 on:** 24 Jul 2012, 21:13 »

Today I skyped with my friend in China. Oh I miss her so much! We became such close friends in such a short time and then she had to move back home. We have big gaps between our talks, but when we do talk it is so easy to pick up where we left off. She wants me to come visit, and she is always so optimistic about things "Kat I think you really can come next year!" But I just don't see how I will have the money to fly to China in the next 3 years. It has already been 2 years since I have seen here, which is one half of the entire time I have known her! Why is the world so big, and am I so poor?

The Seldom Killer · « **Reply #2832 on:** 24 Jul 2012, 23:19 »

Quote from: Lupercal on 22 Jul 2012, 03:48

So the Olympics is happening what, next week? and I'm having to plan around getting home from work as I'm apparently in a "hotspot" of activity (Holborn). It's very strange, because I hardly know London at all yet, and I'm being told to "get ahead of the games" and "plan my route" home.

Well, I get on at Holborn, travel three stops to Liverpool St and then get off there for the overground. All in all the underground portion doesn't take more than fifteen minutes, yet I'm being told to take evasive action...the only way I can avoid crowds, presumably, is to either walk to Liverpool St (probably a good half hour +) and delay my journey home, or walk to the stop preceeding Holborn (Tottenham Court Road), so that I can actually get a train to Liverpool St anyway.

London is busy enough as it is, I'm constantly surprised by the amount of people willing to jump out into fast-moving traffic just to get across the road into a coffee shop or something.

There's an expectation that bus services may be affected less than Underground and there's a few services that go from Holborn to Liverpool Street so that might be an option. My memory of those services was they they were pretty busy anyway though. Can't see walking to Tottenham Court Road making anything better either.
Have you considered taking a Boris Bike. Going along the quieter roads should take around 12-15 minutes at a modest pace so would make journeys free and probably much easier.

I still cross roads like that, it's a very hard habit to break.

pwhodges · « **Reply #2833 on:** 25 Jul 2012, 00:55 »

Crossing the road is a simple matter of dynamics - set your trajectory to miss the other moving objects, and away you go. Same with cycling, of course. My brain just sees the world that way and makes the necessary settings automatically.

I think people who can't see trajectories that way are sometimes alarmed by this, and I have to account for their possible changes in behaviour as well.

Lines · « **Reply #2834 on:** 25 Jul 2012, 04:13 »

Or, you know, hit by a car. I cross the street when I know I have enough time to do so without having to stop or make cars stop. It's easy enough to do, but I do scare people sometimes, especially the people who don't know how to walk fast.

One of my friends/former coworkers likes to play a game called "Don't Get Hit" which involves him deliberately swerving in front of cars on his bike. I told him if he ever did that to me, I would hit him. Not enough to kill or seriously injure him, but just enough to fuck up his bike/make him mad/make him not ever pull that shit again.

Redball · « **Reply #2835 on:** 25 Jul 2012, 04:37 »

The risk of insisting on the right of way or playing don't get hit, aside from injury to the person who insists or plays, is causing other collisions as drivers try to avoid the stopping or swerving car in front of them. Other than that, it means trusting your own safety to the ability of the driver in the oncoming car, whether it's a 20-something with lightning reflexes, an 85-year-old with unclear vision and slow reflexes, or a drunk. It seems to me that once you've become a driver, you learn to think like one. And if you're the least bit empathetic, even as a pedestrian part of you is behind the wheel of that oncoming car.

pwhodges · « **Reply #2836 on:** 25 Jul 2012, 04:43 »

My aim is never to require the drivers to do anything; sometimes, if they don't get it, they slow down, which can make getting between them and another vehicle more difficult than it might have been - this is the change of behaviour that I remarked that I had to account for.

Redball · « **Reply #2837 on:** 25 Jul 2012, 05:37 »

I see driving and walking near drivers as an expression of body language. One doesn't make a gesture toward another person that would make that person flinch, or invade another person's personal space.

Redball · « **Reply #2838 on:** 25 Jul 2012, 06:15 »

I've done that; took my foot off the gas. Touched the brake once and got followed by a ranting driver far enough I wished I'd found a police station. He finally broke off.

lepetitfromage · « **Reply #2839 on:** 25 Jul 2012, 06:28 »

Ugh, maybe it's my time as a pedestrian in NYC, but I have no patience for people who disregard safety just because they have the right of way. I think it's one of my biggest pet peeves. I mean, I learned to cross the street in Kindergarten!!

We live on the outskirts of a small city and there is a 3 lane highway that we take to get to our apartment. I have yet to drive on that highway without witnessing what my friends and I lovingly call "strutters". These people walk as slow as humanly possible (sometimes called the "pimp walk") across 3 lanes of traffic, outside of crosswalks, usually wearing headphones and with no regard to traffic lights. They don't acknowledge you when you slow down to let them go and they hardly even look in the direction of oncoming traffic, let alone pause to consider whether or not crossing is a good idea. Sometimes I think they are daring drivers to hit them so they can sue.

It's not hard to be a good pedestrian- stop, look, go when no one is coming and if someone stops to let you pass, wave "thank you". Really not difficult.

Carl-E · « **Reply #2840 on:** 25 Jul 2012, 07:25 »

I've been hit by cars more than once; once on a motorcycle, once on a bicycle, an once as a pedestrian last December. The legs almost feels normal again, thanks for asking!

If you spend enough time in traffic, you will, eventually, wind up in a situation where an accident is unavoidable, no matter how careful you are. However, the probability of being in an accident goes way down if you are careful, and even further down if everyone else is also. It's worth the effort.

Also, Paul, I'm a trajectory predictor as well, but my depth perceptio's always been a bit poor, so it doesn't always work - I overestimate to compensate. Blind corners don't help...

Lastly, the consequences of pissing off traffic in Europe (you're in Belgium, Tuathal?) are generally lesser than they are in the states, where I have seen guns drawn and waved on the highway more than once.

But that's another thread...

Omega Entity · « **Reply #2841 on:** 25 Jul 2012, 08:20 »

I try to be a good pedestrian if I'm crossing, say, a road or something - people may have the right of way, but there's no need to be an asshole about it.

On the other hand, if I'm crossing the narrow lane to get from the parking lot to a store, I'm sorry, but there's no need for any vehicle to move fast enough that stopping is a difficulty. Or rather, there's no need to SPEED UP when I'm crossing, thinking they can beat me.

I was doing said crossing a week ago, and I have long legs and a fast clip. I had plenty of time to get across, especially if I pick up a jog as I often do when a car is coming. Dumbass in the sedan actually sped up to try and beat me so he wouldn't have to stop - IN THE FUCKING PARKING LOT. Not only stupid, but dangerous as well, especially considering there was an ambulance parked along the side that was a nice obstruction for being able to see what's coming. He had a clear line of sight on me, though. When he did end up having to brake for me, -he- had the audacity to honk at -me-, like I was the one being the dick in the situation. Raised my hands up to my sides in a 'what the hell' gesture, mouthed a big ol' 'fuck you' (his windows were up, and I was on the clock for work besides), and gave him the finger before strolling into the store.

Lines · « **Reply #2842 on:** 25 Jul 2012, 09:15 »

Someone did that to me once. Earlier that day, I had done lunges for a fitness class, so I was walking pretty slow, but I still had a good idea on how long it would take me to cross from the parking spaces to the store. There was an SUV about 5-6 stores down that was not moving fast at all, so I decide to go ahead and cross. So what do they do? Speed up and stop about a foot away from me and honk. So I stop, give them a, "Really? Bitch please." look, and slooooooooooooooowly continue on my way. I was already walking about 1/3 of my normal pace, which is usually pretty fast, so I went ahead and slowed it down some more.

If they had honked again, I probably would have just stood there and made them drive around me. It's a parking lot. Let me walk or I shall park my body where I please.

lepetitfromage · « **Reply #2843 on:** 25 Jul 2012, 10:13 »

Reading my previous post, I realize that I came across as a little.....apathetic. I apologize and should clarify that I meant it's not hard to be a courteous pedestrian, not someone who magically crosses all intersections in a perfect manner lol. Accidents happen and there are definitely cases unlike the ones that I posted about. I've just never seen them happen here because there are so many effing douche bags.

And really?? If a driver is an ass hat to you, I commend (and recommend) being an ass hat right back. Operating a large piece of machinery doesn't give someone the right to be a jerk and I think the more people that are shown this fact, the better off we'll all be.

Sometimes being mobile is really scary. $:-\$

Papersatan · « **Reply #2844 on:** 25 Jul 2012, 12:38 »

So, I just want to put my two cents in about driving. I have a major pet peev about driving, highway driving in particular, but all driving really. Good driving (cycling, pedestrian-ing) is about being safe, making sure others know what you are doing by signaling and not making sudden, unexpected decisions, doing only what you are comfortable with, and keeping traffic moving smoothly. It is not about always about following the rules, and is certainly not about forcing others to follow them. It is not about being the fastest or the most technically skilled, or feeling self righteous because *you* were a better driver. Once you let your frustration change your driving, you stop being the better driver.

Forcing someone to slam their breaks on, or driving in a way where you are forced to slam yours on is:
1. bad for your car
2. bad for your gas mileage
3. bad for your heart rate
4. bad for the over all traffic conditions
5. UNSAFE

It is frustrating when you are cruising above the speed limit and someone is on your ass, but you should get over and let them pass. Making them slam their breaks by hitting yours is unsafe and people slamming their breaks on is the cause of most traffic jams. You are not their boss and it is not your job to make them slow down. If it helps think about all the reasons your speed might not be fast enough for them, maybe their wife is giving birth in the back seat, maybe they are rushing to the hospital where their mother is dieing, maybe they are late for a job interview, maybe they are just an asshole. Doesn't matter, it is not your job to slow them down, your tax dollars pay someone to do that, and if this driver thinks it is worth the risk, that is their choice. Calmly move over with the knowledge you are still a good driver, and if you are super pissed, give them the finger.

It sucks that, when everyone knew the lane was going to close 3 miles ago, that douche sped up the lane to the end and now wants to get in, but if you slow down a little there can be space for him to get in with no fuss, and if you speed up to close the gap and then hit your breaks, that chains back and makes the traffic worse for everyone else, increasing the likelihood people will get frustrated and speed down the closed lane, making more people come to full stops and so on.

Are you in a traffic jam? Sure if feels like every time someone cuts into your lane because it is moving 1 mph faster that it is pushing you further from your goal. It really isn't she will be bored with your lane and on to another one in nor time, but driving in busts is making the traffic jam worse for everyone behind you (besides all the things mentioned in my list). your goal should be to drive as smoothly as possible, if this means you don't make it over 10 MPH, so be it, but most traffic jams are spontaneous and would clear up if people drove well.

I wish every driver had to watch this and write a response about what they could do to prevent such things from happening. In so many situations I watch people make traffic worse because they can't just take a deep breath and drive calmly.

Jace · « **Reply #2845 on:** 25 Jul 2012, 15:42 »

Good news everyone!
It is just a canker sore. Got a better look at it yesterday.
Bad news everyone!
Jessica's grandma is in hospice.

Patrick · « **Reply #2846 on:** 25 Jul 2012, 15:44 »

Quote from: tuathal on 25 Jul 2012, 15:24

I cannot stand distracted driving in any form.

I probably shouldn't tell you about the time I went 90mph down I580 in an SUV at 1am while hitting a weed pipe, left knee on the steering wheel and pipe in both hands.

This actually happened, rock and roll 4 lyfe

Akima · « **Reply #2847 on:** 25 Jul 2012, 20:41 »

Quote from: Papersatan on 25 Jul 2012, 12:38

So, I just want to put my two cents in about driving.

Yes. So very much yes. A vehicle is a means of transport, not a tool for expressing your anger, frustration, territoriality etc.

Quote from: Linds on 25 Jul 2012, 04:13

One of my friends/former coworkers likes to play a game called "Don't Get Hit" which involves him deliberately swerving in front of cars on his bike.

Does he have a death-wish? I'm a bicycle commuter in the city, and strongly believe that exercising your legal right to ride on the road means behaving like a responsible vehicle operator. Even if you do, some motor-vehicle drivers will carve you up (though not as many as some cycling drama-queens like to suggest), so playing silly games like this should be right out.

Patrick · « **Reply #2848 on:** 26 Jul 2012, 04:46 »

Rest assured, it is never going to happen again. Not a fan of taking stupid risks these days.

Welu · « **Reply #2849 on:** 26 Jul 2012, 05:20 »

I tried to write a post last night about getting invited to a girly night out but it got long and ranty.

Basically, I've been invited to something I know I will not have fun at. It doesn't help I only like three of the seven people involved. One person there really does not like me at all. I did spend two and a half years trying so hard with them with barely any reciprocation. I've managed to not have to see them for about a year other than a couple things, where we just ignored each other. If I do attempt to say anything to her, no matter what it is she quickly gets defensive. Even if I'm not talking to her but I say something she doesn't like, for example a song came on and I said I didn't like it but if she does, she will take it as a personal attack and the only way to appease her is to totally back down.
Although I don't want to miss it because it reminds me of when I was a bitchy teen who would purposely exclude myself from things then get upset when no one would hang out with me. Even though the power of hindsight made me realize there were a lot of people who tried to include me. However I also don't want to fake enjoying the whole night or sulk because I don't want to wreck their night.

I think I'm not going to go since I'm working early the next day any way. I'll try to chat to the people I do like and say I really want to hang out with them and I don't want to mess with their circle of friends so I don't know if it's a good idea if I'm there when some other people are also there. Or maybe just see if they'd understand if I'm there but don't get too involved. I don't know how to explain any of these things without sounding bitchy.

Edit:
On driving. I've had about ten lessons. Not many bicyclists in my town but plenty of people who'll run across the road without looking. I've always thought I was very careful crossing the road due to a near-miss when I was a toddler. Now I'm even more cautious, especially when wearing headphones, since seeing the driver's perspective.

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