The Vent and Rant Thread

[DMcCunney]

Originally Posted by gridlewak

The regular guys out in the office floor kept a dish full of those pink peppermints for folks to help themselves to. One would usually grab one or two when going by the chap's desk. Once in a while, someone would come in with a replacement bag to keep the supply up. Except for the head engineer. He would actually make a special trip out to the dish, grab a handful and head back to his office. This was starting to get on their nerves, so a plan was hatched by the originator of the candy supply.

A former co-worker used to be involved in large scale erections. (No, not that kind... ) He was a project manager on large scale construction products. He would keep a pot of fresh coffee and a dish of candies in his office. It went a long way toward smoothing relations with the union guys who were the work force doing the jobs. They knew they could always get fresh coffee and a handful of candies if they had a spare moment. He paid for the cofee and snacks out of pocket, and considered it money well spent. Fortunately, he never had to resort to what you recounted.

(Co-worker's dad was a master millwright, so co-worker learned the ropes early.)
______
Dennis

[ApK]

Originally Posted by Cinisajoy

Did you know that you can't be a caller or get any information from Dave Ramsey unless you make over $50,000 a year?
So, don't be kidding yourself about those incomes.
[..]
Yes, his callers are not exactly financially bright, but they have to have a good paying job to be on the show.
He won't even allow people to look at any of his tips on his website unless you make over 50K a year or lie.

I still don't know that. Why do you think that?

That his advice is targeted toward the largest part of the income bell curve is not something he exactly hides. But I disagree with your characterization of that.

Dave don't give a rat's patootie about helping the poor. He helps the overspending middle class.

I disagree. His advice applies to the poor also, assuming they are poor who are capable of working and willing to take action to change their status.
As for helping the overspending middle class: Heck yeah! That's why I'm listening. He's already helped us stop overspending, and I see potential now to rise above middle class. Maybe all the way to UPPER Middle Class!

His show is nothing but an advertisement for his financial planning stuff or his sponsors stuff.

I disagree with your "nothing but" qualifier. He show and his planning stuff give pretty much exactly the same advice, and that is his business, so yeah.
Take the promotional content out of one of his one-hour show segments, and you're left with about 20 minutes of usually interesting or motivational calls and advice. So I'll go with 2/3 advertisement for himself and for sponsors.
That's why I go with the podcasts. 30-second skip isn't just for DVRs!

Of course, in another sense, just like every song on the radio is an advertisement for the artist, every piece of advise he gives that helps or motivates someone is an advertisement for his stuff, so in that sense, sure, all of it is, just like just about anything else anyone does in media.

BTW, I saw him live over a decade ago in NYC. It was a very entertaining show, but I didn't take it seriously at the time. Oh man, I wish I had.
(and I don't think he asked my income before letting me in....)

[Cinisajoy]

Originally Posted by ApK

I still don't know that. Why do you think that?

That his advice is targeted toward the largest part of the income bell curve is not something he exactly hides. But I disagree with your characterization of that.




I disagree. His advice applies to the poor also, assuming they are poor who are capable of working and willing to take action to change their status.
As for helping the overspending middle class: Heck yeah! That's why I'm listening. He's already helped us stop overspending, and I see potential now to rise above middle class. Maybe all the way to UPPER Middle Class!



I disagree with your "nothing but" qualifier. He show and his planning stuff give pretty much exactly the same advice, and that is his business, so yeah.
Take the promotional content out of one of his one-hour show segments, and you're left with about 20 minutes of usually interesting or motivational calls and advice. So I'll go with 2/3 advertisement for himself and for sponsors.
That's why I go with the podcasts. 30-second skip isn't just for DVRs!

Of course, in another sense, just like every song on the radio is an advertisement for the artist, every piece of advise he gives that helps or motivates someone is an advertisement for his stuff, so in that sense, sure, all of it is, just like just about anything else anyone does in media.

BTW, I saw him live over a decade ago in NYC. It was a very entertaining show, but I didn't take it seriously at the time. Oh man, I wish I had.
(and I don't think he asked my income before letting me in....)

I tried to look at his website and at that time, it wouldn't let in those under $50,000.
I hope it has changed since then.

I am glad his program is helping you, but I must confess a bit of surprise. I didn't figure you would need his help. I thought you were always wise.

As to the media and advertising, that is how most radio and tv talk shows are.
Don't ask me about Kim Komado. She is a fabulous hawker.

Silly question: on the NYC show, did you have to pay to get in?

[Hemmi]

Pink pens are still hidden in the back of my desk. I did spot the one she stole from me ages ago today so I know it's still around. Will have to rifle her smock pockets some morning to find it again. That one's been gone for a long time.

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by ApK

Sorry to interrupt the serious health stuff with some petty vents, but I'm going to, nonetheless.

Dear fellow technologists:

"Cache," as in an area of memory or storage where data is held for quick access, is pronounced like "cash," as in money.

It is NOT pronounced "ca-SHAY." That word, spelled "cachet," means 'prestige.'
You're knowledge workers. Please add this to your knowledge base, so you sound knowledgeable.

Thank you!

Dear callers to the Dave Ramsey Show:
Learn the difference between the pronouns "I" and "me" and how to use them correctly, at least in the most simple and common constructions. Maybe if you spoke like you paid attention in grammar school, you'd do better in job interviews, and command a higher salary, and you'd be in better financial shape.

Worth a try.

Thanks!

I like Dave Ramsey too. He gives some sound advice. When we get steady income again. I've got tips written down on savings.

I'm going to have to look into the podcasts. I didn't know about them. Thanks.

Sent from my XT1528

[Hitch]

Originally Posted by DMcCunney

A former co-worker used to be involved in large scale erections. (No, not that kind... ) He was a project manager on large scale construction products. He would keep a pot of fresh coffee and a dish of candies in his office. It went a long way toward smoothing relations with the union guys who were the work force doing the jobs. They knew they could always get fresh coffee and a handful of candies if they had a spare moment. He paid for the cofee and snacks out of pocket, and considered it money well spent. Fortunately, he never had to resort to what you recounted.

(Co-worker's dad was a master millwright, so co-worker learned the ropes early.)
______
Dennis

Yes, of course, but that was greasing the wheels. I did something similar, when I was building hotels back in "the day." Coffee and doughnuts, every morning. That's obviously different than some wanker who helps himself to a communal office pot without contribution. There's simply always at least one who's like that, right? And the pot is almost always the lower-level office workers, not the execs. It's egregious that a manager or exec should do that, to lower-earning staff.

In one office we had a young lady like that, but we all knew she was in dire financial straits, so of course, we didn't mace her and all that. We carried her, as we ought. But a moocher, who's just cheap? Ixnay on that.

Especially if the moocher can well afford it, oftentimes more than the other contributors. That's just mean, in the financial sense of the word. Mousetrap that Mother!


Hitch

[Hitch]

I realize that this is nothing, compared to Blossom's problems, and all that, but...

My New Right-Hand Man is leaving.

Now...that probably doesn't sound like much, but if you've heard of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, we're kinda the Best Little Bookmaker in the States. We do a shedload of books, with a teeny, teeny, teeny admin staff and a host of bookmakers. Admin/management/PM is basically, me and one other part time person. Over the years, I've had 3; my first helper, who went on to open his own bar/restaurant (good for him!); my second, who left me after 4+ years, to go run some guy's Air B&B's, making 3x what I could pay her (so, can't blame her, ya know?) and now, my brand-new guy, who lives in Cambridge, UK.

Now, my new guy worked his nights for me, and a mostly-full-time gig during his days, which = my late nights/early a.m.'s. That worked out perfectly. He was very fast (did the same tasks in 50-60% of the time, as my last assistant) and I really, really LIKE him, too. He's funny and irreverent and competent. These are not qualities I am typically able to find, so really, I'd like to hold on to this one, if I were able.

BUT...his other gig folded, and he got a NEW gig (Ironically, with Amazon, of all the cursed things), as the head of some crew. He's working horrible hours, so I can't very well expect him to stay. BUT, dammit, it takes nearly 5-6 MONTHS to train someone here, and it's just now coming up on 6. I was just at the point where he'd take one day a week off, and then, he'd work Saturday--which would mean, I could have Saturdays off, for the first time in 9 years. (Nine years of 6-day workweeks, minimally...it really wears you down, after a while.)

RATS. JUST BL**DY RATS!

Jesus, just thinking about it makes me feel tired.


Hitch

[Cinisajoy]

So sorry Hitch.

Now an update on our car. Tags are due on the 31st. Must be inspected first. Can't get it inspected with the windshield like it is. Soonest to get windshield replaced August 15.
So we will be without our car for two weeks.

[Blossom]

Ah Hitch. I was so hoping he would work out. All that training is got to be tiresome and disruptive.

I'm recovering from Esophagitis and Bronchitis. That snack bar was poison to my system.

It means no chocolate, no soda, no BBQ sauce, no pizza... nothing that makes this Holiday fun.

Most of the Bronchitis is gone as the inflammation goes down but still dealing with pain in my back and nerves from the wound it caused. For four days every breath I took sounded like a whining puppy. That is gone finally.

Sent from my XT1528

[Hitch]

Originally Posted by Cinisajoy

So sorry Hitch.

It's making me downright sniffy.

Now an update on our car. Tags are due on the 31st. Must be inspected first. Can't get it inspected with the windshield like it is. Soonest to get windshield replaced August 15.
So we will be without our car for two weeks.

Oh, shite. Cins, have you battened down the hatches? Have food and all that?

Originally Posted by Blossom

Ah Hitch. I was so hoping he would work out. All that training is got to be tiresome and disruptive.

You know, the part that upsets me the most is: no Saturdays off for ANOTHER six months. I can almost not face it.

I'm recovering from Esophagitis and Bronchitis. That snack bar was poison to my system.

WOW. Really? Sorbitol gave you bronchitis? Geeze, it can make me, uhr...well, let's say, a bit squiffy, but generally, that's the worst of it.

It means no chocolate, no soda, no BBQ sauce, no pizza... nothing that makes this Holiday fun.

That has major suckage.

Most of the Bronchitis is gone as the inflammation goes down but still dealing with pain in my back and nerves from the wound it caused. For four days every breath I took sounded like a whining puppy. That is gone finally.

Well, at least that's good. I can't imagine what that's like--aching like that, AND getting on your own nerves with the wheezes. I've done that, with Bronchitis, but never like that. Not four days of puppy whining, that's brutal.

AND, yet more fun from the World Headquarters; got a book in today, in Word, and most of it is text topiary. GOSH, do you think that maybe, the author has never even SEEN a Kindle/Nook/iBooks/Kobo/you-name-it?

I'm trying to figure out how the hell to explain what's going to happen when the font size is increased. {SIGH}.

Spoiler:

ARRRRGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !
Why don't authors EVER, EVER, EVER look at other books? Whether it's print or e, there's always some sort of mind-boggling SHITE!

Why me? I musta been a real horror, in my past life, to deserve this never-ending parade.

Hitch

[Cinisajoy]

Hitch,
There is some good news. The insurance check for the car will be here soon. Thanks for the reminder that I need to make a grocery list.
Though we don't need much.

Blossom,
Feel better soon.

[Hitch]

Originally Posted by Cinisajoy

Hitch,
There is some good news. The insurance check for the car will be here soon. Thanks for the reminder that I need to make a grocery list.
Though we don't need much.

Blossom,
Feel better soon.

Well, make sure that you have what you need, for while you are car-less. Or get someone near to bring to. Whichever. Nothing worse than being stuck in a house, in the kind of temps we get, in the dead of summer, sans automobile, ESPECIALLY if you run low on necessities, like food or coffee (ye GODS!), or catfood or dogfood or whatever. That's the pits. It's aiming for 112F here again, so...phlllbbbfffft. No walks to the store, eh?

Good luck on the insurance, etc.

Hitch

[Cinisajoy]

Originally Posted by Hitch

Well, make sure that you have what you need, for while you are car-less. Or get someone near to bring to. Whichever. Nothing worse than being stuck in a house, in the kind of temps we get, in the dead of summer, sans automobile, ESPECIALLY if you run low on necessities, like food or coffee (ye GODS!), or catfood or dogfood or whatever. That's the pits. It's aiming for 112F here again, so...phlllbbbfffft. No walks to the store, eh?

Good luck on the insurance, etc.

Hitch

No worries on that. We do have another vehicle but for short trips, it has horrible gas mileage.
My rant was more 6 weeks to get a windshield replaced.

As to coffee, I think we are good for a year. We stocked up recently. Big Lots had the 40 oz cans of Maxwell House for $4 each. I'm not going to say we buy in bulk but if one manager sees us, he looks in our cart to see if he will be needed to ring us up. The cashiers have to scan each item individually.

[poohbear_nc]

Originally Posted by Hitch

I realize that this is nothing, compared to Blossom's problems, and all that, but...

My New Right-Hand Man is leaving.

Now...that probably doesn't sound like much, but if you've heard of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, we're kinda the Best Little Bookmaker in the States. We do a shedload of books, with a teeny, teeny, teeny admin staff and a host of bookmakers. Admin/management/PM is basically, me and one other part time person. Over the years, I've had 3; my first helper, who went on to open his own bar/restaurant (good for him!); my second, who left me after 4+ years, to go run some guy's Air B&B's, making 3x what I could pay her (so, can't blame her, ya know?) and now, my brand-new guy, who lives in Cambridge, UK.

Now, my new guy worked his nights for me, and a mostly-full-time gig during his days, which = my late nights/early a.m.'s. That worked out perfectly. He was very fast (did the same tasks in 50-60% of the time, as my last assistant) and I really, really LIKE him, too. He's funny and irreverent and competent. These are not qualities I am typically able to find, so really, I'd like to hold on to this one, if I were able.

BUT...his other gig folded, and he got a NEW gig (Ironically, with Amazon, of all the cursed things), as the head of some crew. He's working horrible hours, so I can't very well expect him to stay. BUT, dammit, it takes nearly 5-6 MONTHS to train someone here, and it's just now coming up on 6. I was just at the point where he'd take one day a week off, and then, he'd work Saturday--which would mean, I could have Saturdays off, for the first time in 9 years. (Nine years of 6-day workweeks, minimally...it really wears you down, after a while.)

RATS. JUST BL**DY RATS!

Jesus, just thinking about it makes me feel tired.


Hitch

I had a similar experience some years back ... the company had FINALLY hired a person with a functioning brain that could learn how to do things competently. I invested a LOT of time in training & encouragement, etc. -- and was wallowing in happy dreams of no more night or weekend work ... when I found a letter of resignation on my desk -- yep! a better job that paid more .... I maintained composure that day but bawled like a baby during my drive home -- fortunately no cop pulled me over. It's like getting a gut punch!

[Hitch]

Originally Posted by Cinisajoy

No worries on that. We do have another vehicle but for short trips, it has horrible gas mileage.
My rant was more 6 weeks to get a windshield replaced.

As to coffee, I think we are good for a year. We stocked up recently. Big Lots had the 40 oz cans of Maxwell House for $4 each. I'm not going to say we buy in bulk but if one manager sees us, he looks in our cart to see if he will be needed to ring us up. The cashiers have to scan each item individually.

I feel ya. When Mr. Hitch fell ill, and couldn't do grocery runs, I finally ended up using Walmart's shopping service, and picking up from them. We *do* buy in large quantities, because everything is a schlep. There aren't any milk runs, or "Oh, I need a loaf of bread" type outings, not here. So, as it usually takes me two carts, I needed that extra hand.

The one gotcha, of course, is fresh fruit and produce. That's always extra trips, at least weekly. We try to wrap them into others, but...all the necessities are spread out in various directions, unfortunately. Opposite directions, as it happens.

At least you won't run out of caffeine! You're probably set for the Zombie Apocalypse. :-)

Hitch