The Vent and Rant Thread

[philocrates]

Rant of the day: I HATE PENNSYLVANIA. And that is coming from someone who had ancestors here before the Welcome arrived on both sides of my family.

Why? Tax.

To be exact inheritance tax to the tune of 15% on what I already bought and paid tax for because the other half's name was on it the wrong way. Why the devil should I pay 15% on something I already paid tax on.

Do not move to PA unless you can afford to lose money.

[Rumpelteazer]

So I'm enjoying my holiday, relaxing in the cottage and reading when I get a phone call. It's my funeral insurance company wanting to speak to my father. It's the second time they call me on my mobile, I haven't got the slightest idea how they got my number (not from me or my family) and again I told them to remove my mobile phone number from their listing. My holiday mood was gone for a while after that call.

[badgoodDeb]

Think of it this way: at least you didn't need their services!

[orlok]

Originally Posted by Rumpelteazer

So I'm enjoying my holiday, relaxing in the cottage and reading when I get a phone call. It's my funeral insurance company wanting to speak to my father. It's the second time they call me on my mobile, I haven't got the slightest idea how they got my number (not from me or my family) and again I told them to remove my mobile phone number from their listing. My holiday mood was gone for a while after that call.

I'd be dead annoyed if they did that to me....

[plib]

Originally Posted by Pookeysgirl

So here's the ridiculous Monday I had yesterday:

First, I get a call from my husband at 9:30am. He was pulled over doing 86 km/h in a 60 km/h zone. Lucky for him the officer was very nice and understanding that he was running late (for reasons I won't mention here because if my husband ever saw this it would embarass him).

That's OK. We all occasionally cut ourselves while shaving.

[Hoods7070]

Fascinating! You sent me on a Google quest for more about sadza and how it compares to grits. I even found a comment that it is sometimes prepared with peanut butter. May have to try that with grits!

Well, a popular "relish" to accompany sadza is spinach, and some people (my husband is one) like to stir peanut butter into the spinach. I don't like that at all! I know there are ex-pat South Africans in the States selling their "home" foods - my brother is American-South African (in Louisiana) and one of his friends imports stuff from South Africa. Don't ask me why, but Americans here do the same thing - Oreos and so forth. If you can, it's really worth getting hold of "coarse braai pap" which is, at its name suggests, coarsely ground and much more full of flavour.

Not sure about the US, but here in Australia we only grow yellow, or sweet, corn. The maize predominantly used in (I think) most African countries is white - huge white cobs. It has a very different flavour, much nuttier than sweetcorn. I really missed white corn on the cob when we moved over here.

[amward]

In the words of Victor Meldrew "I don't believe it!!!" Had to have my appendix out yesterday..we are off to Europe for 5 weeks on Easter Sunday... I hope. The doctor says if there's no infection I should be fine. I'm home already and not feeling too bad, but what a time for it to happen. At least I didn't go away and have it happen overseas.

[bjones6416]

Originally Posted by amward

In the words of Victor Meldrew "I don't believe it!!!" Had to have my appendix out yesterday..we are off to Europe for 5 weeks on Ester Sunday... I hope. The doctor says if there's no infection I should be fine. I'm home already and not feeling too bad, but what a time for it to happen. At least I didn't go away and have it happen overseas.

Didn't you just have a broken arm? I'm so sorry it happened, but you are right, probably much better that it happened before your trip. Rest up and recover so you can have fun!

[amward]

Originally Posted by bjones6416

Didn't you just have a broken arm? I'm so sorry it happened, but you are right, probably much better that it happened before your trip. Rest up and recover so you can have fun!

Yep, that 's me, I'm thinking of booking a permanent room at the hospital.

[Stitchawl]

Originally Posted by amward

In the words of Victor Meldrew "I don't believe it!!!" Had to have my appendix out yesterday..we are off to Europe for 5 weeks on Ester Sunday... I hope. The doctor says if there's no infection I should be fine. I'm home already and not feeling too bad, but what a time for it to happen. At least I didn't go away and have it happen overseas.

Wow! Glad to hear that you're OK! But I'd say it's the perfect time to have it done! You will almost forget that you had surgery in another two-three weeks and be able to have a wonderful vacation! Happy Easter!


Stitchawl

[SneakySnake]

Originally Posted by amward

In the words of Victor Meldrew "I don't believe it!!!" Had to have my appendix out yesterday..we are off to Europe for 5 weeks on Ester Sunday... I hope. The doctor says if there's no infection I should be fine. I'm home already and not feeling too bad, but what a time for it to happen. At least I didn't go away and have it happen overseas.

Wow! Timing is everything; and you timed this to perfection. I hope you have a great trip.

[Bookpossum]

Wishing you a very speedy and trouble-free recovery, Anne.

[WT Sharpe]

This may sound silly, but it really ticks me off. Google wants me to change my screen name, which is the same as the one I use here at MobileRead: WT Sharpe.

Hello,

After reviewing your profile, it appears that the name you entered does not comply with the Google+ Names Policy. Please log in to Google+ and visit your profile to learn more and take action.

The Names Policy requires that you use the name you are commonly referred to in real life in your profile. Nicknames, previous names, and so on should be entered in the Other Names section of the profile. Profiles are limited to individuals; use Google+ Pages for businesses and other entities.

If you do not edit your name to comply with our Names policy or appeal with additional information within four days of receiving this message, your profile will be suspended. While suspended, you will not be able to make full use of Google services that require an active profile, such as Google+, Buzz, Reader and Picasa. This will not prevent you from using other Google services, like Gmail.

The Google+ team.

Who the hell do they think they are that they can tell me what my name is? Here is my reply.

WT Sharpe
to Google+

What's the problem? Should I go down to the courtroom and ask to have my name changed? My name IS WT Sharpe. I could go by Tom Sharpe, but many of my online friends would not be looking for me by that name. And if I used my first name, William, I'd be willing to bet some of my family members wouldn't even recognize me. I am William Thomas Sharpe, III. What's wrong with WT Sharpe? Neither my father nor my grandfather went by William. The only people who know me as William are sales people, and I don't want them to find me.

--WT Sharpe, Chesapeake, VA

For all that, I doubt it will do any good, and if I want to continue using their services, I'll probably have to give them a name I have never, ever used in my entire life: William Sharpe. Not even my mother ever called me William. I'm not sure it's worth it. Isn't Google the company that pledged to do no harm? To always do the right thing? Who are they to tell me who I am???

[SneakySnake]

At least you are a sharp willy! You could be a billy blunt.

[Stitchawl]

Originally Posted by WT Sharpe

This may sound silly, but it really ticks me off. Google wants me to change my screen name, which is the same as the one I use here at MobileRead: WT Sharpe.

At least it's only your name. I've had my birthday refused a couple of times by different on-line sign-ups. It's not like I was born on the 34th of Septober! Normal day, normal month, and refused.

But do remember what happened to R.B. Jones in the military...
You don't want THAT name!


Stitchawl