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The Power Four => Big Ten => Topic started by: utee94 on May 20, 2025, 08:43:22 AM

Title: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on May 20, 2025, 08:43:22 AM
This is the place to talk about your arthritis, your corns, your nighttime bathroom requirements, and how kids show no respect for their elders and will be the downfall of society.

Oh also, social media are terrible and will also be the downfall of society.

Now get off my lawn!

(https://i.imgur.com/GWXkB0j.png)

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: ELA on May 20, 2025, 08:44:56 AM
I thought we already had a whole thread dedicated to how selfish kids were ruining college football
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on May 20, 2025, 08:46:55 AM
I'll get it started off.

I am super-annoyed when driving on a two-lane road with a left turn lane (chicken lane for those in certain parts of the country), and a car in front of me in the left lane slows down a lot, in preparation to move into the left turn lane and make a left turn.  If that lane is clear, then move on over, before slowing down.

And also, unless you're pulling a long trailer, there is seldom any need to swing left in order to make a right turn.  And there is never any need to swing right in order to make a left turn.

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MarqHusker on May 20, 2025, 08:47:01 AM
Quit judging ELA, go get your Labs drawn!
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on May 20, 2025, 08:58:54 AM
Speaking of driving, a thing I often see is a person on a freeway slowing down well before an exit.  There generally is a bit of a deceleration lane anyway, but the driver slows down without needing to make any kind of real turn.

A fairly common thing here is driver's trying to beat a left turn signal, it goes red, or they rush to turn right on red, and pedestrians are lawfully about to walk into the crosswalk.  I have to really watch for that one.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: LetsGoPeay on May 20, 2025, 09:02:29 AM
As someone who currently drives about two hours daily on the interstate, semis are my biggest driving pet peeve. One semi is going roughly 2mph faster than another, so they decide to pass each other and slow down all traffic behind them for the better part of the two miles it takes them to pass. When you throw the impatient car driver who wants to whip his vehicle in and out of the smallest of spaces into this equation, it can make for quite the frustrating drive. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on May 20, 2025, 09:05:26 AM
(https://i.imgur.com/hxFmxiw.png)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on May 20, 2025, 09:07:34 AM
the equivalent to the "You Know What I Hate....?" thread on the Big 12 board
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on May 20, 2025, 09:11:16 AM
(https://i.imgur.com/XJEnVLP.png)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on May 20, 2025, 09:17:26 AM
the equivalent to the "You Know What I Hate....?" thread on the Big 12 board
Sadly most of these B1G folks are too afraid to venture down there.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on May 20, 2025, 09:21:26 AM
Met a microbiologist once.

They’re a lot bigger than I imagined.

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: jgvol on May 20, 2025, 09:39:09 AM
So on vacation with the daughter, son in law, 2 grandkids…..

I paid for the entirety of the accommodations, a pretty penny obviously, and have, and intend to pick up most of the dinner bills, and already in for 350 for condo groceries. 

The wife continues to remind me the kids are on a tight budget, as if I don’t know already, so I am only looking for a few good will gestures as the week goes along.  Just a few…. Hey pops, let us get this (little) thing……

We are beginning day 3 of a 7 day free for all, and I’ve seen….2 Build a Bears bought, 2 souvenir cups, several souvenir T shirts, some liquor purchased, and the cherry on top….a brand new pair of On Cloud sneakers for the SIL. 

Tight budget you say?  Hmmm….🤔.  I think agree , tight on needs, loose on wants. 

Rant over. 

Edit:  daughter and wife just got back from buying daughter a new bathing suit, because the 8 she brought are unacceptable.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on May 20, 2025, 09:51:20 AM
So on vacation with the daughter, son in law, 2 grandkids…..

I paid for the entirety of the accommodations, a pretty penny obviously, and have, and intend to pick up most of the dinner bills, and already in for 350 for condo groceries. 

The wife continues to remind me the kids are on a tight budget, as if I don’t know already, so I am only looking for a few good will gestures as the week goes along.  Just a few…. Hey pops, let us get this (little) thing……

We are beginning day 3 of a 7 day free for all, and I’ve seen….2 Build a Bears bought, 2 souvenir cups, several souvenir T shirts, some liquor purchased, and the cherry on top….a brand new pair of On Cloud sneakers for the SIL. 

Tight budget you say?  Hmmm….🤔.  I think agree , tight on needs, loose on wants. 

Rant over.

Edit:  daughter and wife just got back from buying daughter a new bathing suit, because the 8 she brought are unacceptable. 
Seems to me that you should develop a sudden "illness" and book a flight home.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: jgvol on May 20, 2025, 09:53:32 AM
Seems to me that you should develop a sudden "illness" and book a flight home.

I drove down.  

I’ll use it as another teachable moment.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on May 20, 2025, 10:04:50 AM
I drove down. 

I’ll use it as another teachable moment. 
You can fly home and let them drive back. I have a lot of good ideas, you know.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on May 20, 2025, 10:09:11 AM
good luck
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: jgvol on May 20, 2025, 10:12:13 AM
You can fly home and let them drive back. I have a lot of good ideas, you know.

I’ll run your plan by the wife.  I’ll report back. 😂
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: ELA on May 20, 2025, 10:17:04 AM
Speaking of driving, a thing I often see is a person on a freeway slowing down well before an exit.  There generally is a bit of a deceleration lane anyway, but the driver slows down without needing to make any kind of real turn.

A fairly common thing here is driver's trying to beat a left turn signal, it goes red, or they rush to turn right on red, and pedestrians are lawfully about to walk into the crosswalk.  I have to really watch for that one.
Don't get me started on tunnels
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on May 20, 2025, 10:49:28 AM
Young people constantly on their cell phones annoy me.  Seems a lot of age demographics are afflicted with this, but young people are hit the hardest.  When I walk around campus the college students are all walking around, isolated, face buried in their phones.  I've seen more than one of them trip as they either approach or step off of a curb.  Does it phase them?  No, they just recover, and go right back to walking with their screen in front of them.  I wonder if I robbed them, would they even notice? 

Life is short.  You should have friends, especially at school.  I usually made a friend or two in whatever class I was in and after a while you know other people are going where you're going at the same time, and we walked the campus having conversations.  I hate all the social isolation I see with phones. 

Doesn't even seem safe to me.  Besides running into things, women are safer to walk in groups rather than alone, and looking around being aware of your surroundings is a deterrent to bad things happening to you. 

It seems a lot of these girls mitigate their risk of being attractive to predators by being in their pajamas 100% of the time.  We used to at least put on jeans and a t-shirt to go out in public, especially to class.  But I guess that's another rant. 

/old fart rant
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on May 20, 2025, 10:54:08 AM
You wrote that on your phone?
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on May 20, 2025, 10:59:11 AM
Cell phones are great for antisocial introverted misanthropes like me. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on May 20, 2025, 11:56:11 AM
Had my eyes dilated, can barely see.  Grump.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: GopherRock on May 20, 2025, 12:00:04 PM
Had my eyes dilated, can barely see.  Grump.
How many fingers am I holding up?
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on May 20, 2025, 12:02:17 PM
7.  They dilate your pupils of course and then the doc scans your eyes with a bright as heck Jewish laser ...
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on May 20, 2025, 12:13:22 PM
never noticed that from my eye exams - of course I can't see well to begin with
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on May 20, 2025, 12:18:53 PM
I had worse than 20-200 vision, couldn't see the big E, even if it was an aircraft carrier.  It's now 20-20, but I can't see up close now, even if it's an aircraft carrier.

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on May 20, 2025, 12:21:27 PM
7.  They dilate your pupils of course and then the doc scans your eyes with a bright as heck Jewish laser ...

Ugh, that's really annoying, especially if you have to leave out in the bright sunlight.  Nothing to do but shield your eyes, have somebody else guide you along and drive you home, and try not to trip on anything while walking with your eyes covered.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Honestbuckeye on May 20, 2025, 12:22:04 PM
Young people constantly on their cell phones annoy me.  Seems a lot of age demographics are afflicted with this, but young people are hit the hardest.  When I walk around campus the college students are all walking around, isolated, face buried in their phones.  I've seen more than one of them trip as they either approach or step off of a curb.  Does it phase them?  No, they just recover, and go right back to walking with their screen in front of them.  I wonder if I robbed them, would they even notice? 

Life is short.  You should have friends, especially at school.  I usually made a friend or two in whatever class I was in and after a while you know other people are going where you're going at the same time, and we walked the campus having conversations.  I hate all the social isolation I see with phones. 

Doesn't even seem safe to me.  Besides running into things, women are safer to walk in groups rather than alone, and looking around being aware of your surroundings is a deterrent to bad things happening to you. 

It seems a lot of these girls mitigate their risk of being attractive to predators by being in their pajamas 100% of the time.  We used to at least put on jeans and a t-shirt to go out in public, especially to class.  But I guess that's another rant. 

/old fart rant
First of all, thank you Utee for starting this thread. I have been looking around more than normal lately and thinking to not let myself turn into a grumpy old man lol. And it starts with this thread just above me that MDT POSTED.

everywhere you go all you see is people, and especially children, with their face buried in their phones. To me this is where it’s killing us as a society. Children should be active or playing, and people no longer have the ability to actually talk to each other. This is where the polarization begins and ends 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on May 20, 2025, 12:24:39 PM
One thing about phones I notice is folks in the park, it's a nice park, nose buried in cell.  They CAME to the park to see the park, trees, people, girls, etc., and all they do is watch their phone and bump into me.  Humans can't seem to live more than a minute without checking their phones.

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on May 20, 2025, 12:39:12 PM
I never take my phone into public space.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on May 24, 2025, 05:49:02 PM
I had to pick up homebrew ingredients for Monday. So the plan was for my wife and I to take the dog to the brewery right by the homebrew store. 

One of the big things I always wanted when getting a dog was that he would be a "brewery dog", and to take him places like that. Of course, that got off to a rough start since we brought him home about 2 months before COVID hit :96:

Nope. Place was an utter madhouse. Granted, it's in an area frequented by young/hip people (i.e. nothing like us), so I get it. But there was no way we were going to try to brave that insanity. 

So we got the homebrew ingredients, and then decided to try a much more "chill" brewery on the way home. 

Nope. That place was crazy too. 

So we came home. The world is just too damn people-y today. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on May 24, 2025, 06:11:58 PM
My phone tells me I average about 1 hour of screen time per week.  I assume this is extremely low on average.  

Any place I specifically go to be at that place, don't have my phone on me.  If I'm going to meet someone to interact and fellowship with them, don't have my phone on me.

The masses are married to their phones and it's gross.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on May 25, 2025, 11:06:47 AM
The brew pub concept is a good one, I think, perhaps "too good" in the sense it attracts "people".  

I stumbled into one in Seattle circa 1988 or so, I was there for a conference, and went to lunch.  The place had a fantastic salmon sandwich and some kind of beer that came out of a thing they called a "tap".  It was really good.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MrNubbz on May 25, 2025, 12:28:06 PM
One thing about phones I notice is folks in the park, it's a nice park, nose buried in cell.  They CAME to the park to see the park, trees, people, girls, etc., and all they do is watch their phone and bump into me. Humans can't seem to live more than a minute without checking their phones.
Not really I simply got in the habit of leaving it away from me at work and checking it when practical.But I dont use it every day just a flip phone but i can get maps but don't use that either. I always look at one before I leave,I'm good. Just got my 1st cell last year for "basic hello need/this or that ,good bye". Would not have if payphones were still a viable option.

I was surprised at how many people still don't have or want one. I thought I was the last hold out. We were a cluster of outcasts that never went on Social media be it facespace,Instagram,linkedin,twatter or what ever. This place was it - I have been on next door but that was just to find/give local info. Now people at work walking around with cells like it's a colostomy bag just pisses me off
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on May 25, 2025, 06:06:03 PM
I checked mine after the turn, on #11
nothing to report as usual
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: huskerdinie on May 25, 2025, 07:52:30 PM
Only reason I have a cell phone right now is because it is required for my job of taking care of my sister --I log in and out on my cell phone - if I don't do that, I wouldn't get paid.  I use my computer to set up the visits on a similar app but I can't do that on my cell, so I just recently bought a tablet that I can take with me to some scheduling while waiting at the doctor or the library waiting on my sister, etc.  I haven't quite got the hang of it yet, but at least I think I finally figured out how to get my detachable keyboard to work, lol.  Bluetooth, Wi-fi, hot spot, tethering ----I get confused, ha ha.  The things we do for family.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on May 25, 2025, 10:53:03 PM
My phone has a nice trail app, but you don't get any reception on any of the good hikes, due to steep cliffs and canyon walls. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on May 26, 2025, 08:02:08 AM
Mine never rings unless someone calls who is already recognized, and that is very rare.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on May 26, 2025, 08:16:34 AM
mine doesn't ring often enuff for my liking but,............. I'm in sales
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on May 26, 2025, 08:57:30 AM
The phone is just an app on my phone... That I rarely use. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on May 26, 2025, 08:59:47 AM
the one app on my phone that I really don't enjoy using is the email app, but I'm in sales
a good reason to retire
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on May 27, 2025, 10:44:29 AM
I hate it when my friends/family text me long, ongoing stuff that takes forever to type out.  Stuff that could've been solved with a 30 second phone call.  But no, they insist on texting, and then asking followup questions on more texts, and needing clarification because they didn't understand a text......

If I call them, or ask to call them to get it over with more quickly, they say no, they're too busy. 

If you're too busy to pick up the phone, you're too busy to text.  Use texts for quick, unimportant things.  Call people for actual conversations.  I swear, I get texts like "Grandma is in the hospital again, here's 8 pages of text that doesn't explain nearly as much as I think it does while I type it over 30 minutes.  I could call you and tell you much more clearly and quickly what's going on, but I'm a slave to my habits and refuse to change."

Or at least that's how I read those kind of texts.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: jgvol on May 27, 2025, 11:57:12 AM
Don't ever dare add this grumpy old man to a group text.

I have enough knuckleheads at work that insist on copying me on every e-mail chain that doesn't necessarily pertain to me.

And I'll place a voodoo curse on the idiot in either, that replies to all --- "ok", or, "thanks".
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on May 30, 2025, 09:17:24 AM
One thing about phones I notice is folks in the park, it's a nice park, nose buried in cell.  They CAME to the park to see the park, trees, people, girls, etc., and all they do is watch their phone and bump into me.  Humans can't seem to live more than a minute without checking their phones.


(https://i.imgur.com/ayxTuNe.png)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on May 30, 2025, 09:42:50 AM
Need to post that sign in airports everywhere.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Riffraft on May 30, 2025, 11:45:20 AM
I've been known to walk straight at them to see if they actually look up and move
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on May 30, 2025, 01:35:09 PM
My neighbor is a good enough guy, no major problems with that family.  He's much younger than me, I'd say mid-late-20's.  But they leave one trash can out at the road.  Due to the way our lots are located on a curve, both our driveways hit the road right next to each other, and he puts their trash cans on the side of their driveway that also puts it on the side of my driveway.  The old neighbors put their trash cans on the other side of their driveway so it wasn't as in our face.  He also took them in.

This kid puts out two trash cans every week.....and inexplicably takes one of them in after the truck comes.  The other one lives out there, and it's an eyesore, I'm tired of looking at it, and I don't understand why?!??  Just take your other damn trash can in!  So I guess it's more accurate to say he puts out one trash can each week, because he never actually has to put out the second one, because it stays out.  

I at least wouldn't have to look at it quite as much, and my family wouldn't have to be careful to avoid it while backing out if he'd put it on the other side of their driveway.  It's not the kind of thing I'm willing to go talk to him about, but it's enough of a thing that it irks the hell out of me.  

I want my old neighbors back.  But no, that idiot had to have an affair, split up their marriage, and sell the house.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on May 30, 2025, 01:50:12 PM
My neighbor is a good enough guy, no major problems with that family.  He's much younger than me, I'd say mid-late-20's.  But they leave one trash can out at the road.  Due to the way our lots are located on a curve, both our driveways hit the road right next to each other, and he puts their trash cans on the side of their driveway that also puts it on the side of my driveway.  The old neighbors put their trash cans on the other side of their driveway so it wasn't as in our face.  He also took them in.

This kid puts out two trash cans every week.....and inexplicably takes one of them in after the truck comes.  The other one lives out there, and it's an eyesore, I'm tired of looking at it, and I don't understand why?!??  Just take your other damn trash can in!  So I guess it's more accurate to say he puts out one trash can each week, because he never actually has to put out the second one, because it stays out. 

I at least wouldn't have to look at it quite as much, and my family wouldn't have to be careful to avoid it while backing out if he'd put it on the other side of their driveway.  It's not the kind of thing I'm willing to go talk to him about, but it's enough of a thing that it irks the hell out of me. 

I want my old neighbors back.  But no, that idiot had to have an affair, split up their marriage, and sell the house. 
This kind of thing annoys me, too.

But since moving to a neighborhood with an HOA, I never have to deal with it.  Anyone doing this would get fined into oblivion.

Lots of folks complain about HOAs but I'm delighted that ours enforces the things that should be considered common sense and good manners, since neither of those seem to exist anymore.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on May 30, 2025, 01:53:24 PM
This kind of thing annoys me, too.

But since moving to a neighborhood with an HOA, I never have to deal with it.  Anyone doing this would get fined into oblivion.

Lots of folks complain about HOAs but I'm delighted that ours enforces the things that should be considered common sense and good manners, since neither of those seem to exist anymore.
The State of Florida eliminated this to a point. you can leave it out for 24 hours without getting fined now. HOA Nazi's here were fining people after their allotted times, which were as little as 2 hours after pickup.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on May 30, 2025, 01:54:31 PM
I've been known to walk straight at them to see if they actually look up and move
There were 3 that did note move in my two jaunts through O'Hare in the past week. They each got a shoulder shiver. Oops.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: bayareabadger on May 30, 2025, 01:54:36 PM
Need to post that sign in airports everywhere.
The real old guy catch-22. on one hand, there’s a strong dislike of phones. On the other, you might have to make eye contact or interact with someone in the goddamn airport.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: jgvol on May 30, 2025, 03:51:00 PM
My neighbor is a good enough guy, no major problems with that family.  He's much younger than me, I'd say mid-late-20's.  But they leave one trash can out at the road.  Due to the way our lots are located on a curve, both our driveways hit the road right next to each other, and he puts their trash cans on the side of their driveway that also puts it on the side of my driveway.  The old neighbors put their trash cans on the other side of their driveway so it wasn't as in our face.  He also took them in.

This kid puts out two trash cans every week.....and inexplicably takes one of them in after the truck comes.  The other one lives out there, and it's an eyesore, I'm tired of looking at it, and I don't understand why?!??  Just take your other damn trash can in!  So I guess it's more accurate to say he puts out one trash can each week, because he never actually has to put out the second one, because it stays out. 

I at least wouldn't have to look at it quite as much, and my family wouldn't have to be careful to avoid it while backing out if he'd put it on the other side of their driveway.  It's not the kind of thing I'm willing to go talk to him about, but it's enough of a thing that it irks the hell out of me. 

I want my old neighbors back.  But no, that idiot had to have an affair, split up their marriage, and sell the house. 

It'd be a real shame if that can that lives at the end of the driveway came up missing.

Or mysteriously turned up on the other side of his driveway.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on May 30, 2025, 03:54:20 PM
Need to post that sign in airports everywhere.
FIFY
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on May 30, 2025, 03:55:05 PM
(https://i.imgur.com/ybcsJ2I.gif)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on May 30, 2025, 03:58:04 PM
I'd decorate a flowery cross and stick it in the ground on that edge of his driveway, like someone died there.

The cans will stay on the other side, even the permanent one.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on May 30, 2025, 04:07:17 PM
The State of Florida eliminated this to a point. you can leave it out for 24 hours without getting fined now. HOA Nazi's here were fining people after their allotted times, which were as little as 2 hours after pickup.
MDT's neighbor is leaving it out permanently.  Ain't no Florida law gonna save somebody doing that.  Daily fines with escalators.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: huskerdinie on May 30, 2025, 07:56:19 PM
Our mobile home park at least gives everyone one full day to get their cans back by the trailers - trash is picked up separately from the recycle, so you never know for sure when they will be by.  At least we know what day to put them out.  Lawn stuff is picked up on a separate day and large branches etc. are also picked up separately.  We share a driveway with someone but they put their cans out on the west side of the driveway and we put ours out on the right side.  Never had a problem with them, thank goodness.  We are warned of fines if the cans are not back to the house by the following morning for sure.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on May 30, 2025, 10:11:10 PM
My neighbor is a good enough guy, no major problems with that family.  He's much younger than me, I'd say mid-late-20's.  But they leave one trash can out at the road.  Due to the way our lots are located on a curve, both our driveways hit the road right next to each other, and he puts their trash cans on the side of their driveway that also puts it on the side of my driveway.  The old neighbors put their trash cans on the other side of their driveway so it wasn't as in our face.  He also took them in.

This kid puts out two trash cans every week.....and inexplicably takes one of them in after the truck comes.  The other one lives out there, and it's an eyesore, I'm tired of looking at it, and I don't understand why?!??  Just take your other damn trash can in!  So I guess it's more accurate to say he puts out one trash can each week, because he never actually has to put out the second one, because it stays out. 

I at least wouldn't have to look at it quite as much, and my family wouldn't have to be careful to avoid it while backing out if he'd put it on the other side of their driveway.  It's not the kind of thing I'm willing to go talk to him about, but it's enough of a thing that it irks the hell out of me. 

I want my old neighbors back.  But no, that idiot had to have an affair, split up their marriage, and sell the house. 
if it irks the hell out of you, go talk to him
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: CatsbyAZ on May 31, 2025, 11:40:12 AM
This kid puts out two trash cans every week.....and inexplicably takes one of them in after the truck comes.  The other one lives out there, and it's an eyesore, I'm tired of looking at it, and I don't understand why?!??  Just take your other damn trash can in!  So I guess it's more accurate to say he puts out one trash can each week, because he never actually has to put out the second one, because it stays out. 


My Mom had a backhanded way of dealing with ssimilar neighbor when us brothers were adolescents. In one of the small Midwest towns that our childhood took us through, there were known poachers next door. After quartering their offseason deer in their back shed and storing its meat in their deep freezer, the remains would get tossed into the trash can that would sit at the end of their driveway. Us brothers knew this without having to take a peek inside their garbage cans because we were classmates with the neighbor's kids, who bragged at school about (offseason) hunting trips with their Dad.

The weekly trash truck refused to take their garbage can full of mostly animal remains. They left flyers with directions to the county's Wildlife Carcass Disposal pit. So their trash can continued to stink up the end of their driveway and that's what bothered my Mom. She had a sensitive nose prone to triggering headaches, which is why us brothers were prompted to keep our fish aquariums, lizard terrarium, and the cat's litter box so clean. She wondered aloud why our neighbors didn't bury the deer remains in the vast forest behind our shared property line. (Answer: they were lazy bumpkins.)

Didn't leaving animal remains out make it their poaching more known? Which is what happened. Deputies showed up one afternoon while us brothers were shooting hoops in our driveway, and paid our neighbor's trash cans a visit. Confronted by our neighbors, the sheriff's deputies said they didn't need a warrant since the trash cans were left out in the street. By then they'd seen enough to summon the county game warden. Our neighbors were eventually investigated for poaching. Fines and misdemeanors were weighed, but our neighbors (who already had mild criminal records), hired a lawyer and easily beat potential charges by raising enough doubt, such as claiming the deer was roadkill they'd cleaned up. But the point was made: 1) Don't leave your trash cans on the street, and 2) don't let your trash cans stink over night.

A decade later, when us brothers were in our twenties, she revealed how her invisible hand contributed to this lesson on the day before deputies showed up. During one of her visits to Walmart in the next town over, she used the payphone to call the county sheriff's office to report a suspicious smell, and playing her hand as the unsuspecting housewife, she innocently worried whether the smell could be a body. Needless to say, our neighbors never again left their garbage cans out overnight.





Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on May 31, 2025, 11:57:31 AM
At my old house, our neighbors had several cars and they always parked a car in front of my house-- even though they had the space to park in front of their own.  Now I completely understand that the streets are public property and there's no legal right to the space in front of your own house, but since they were clearly parking in front of my house, to keep the street clear in front of their own, I found it to be very annoying.  I mentioned it a couple of times and they just sort of said, "oh yeah, sorry."  But they continued to do it anyway.

So, I started parking in front of their house every time they were parked in front of mine.  Eventually, they stopped doing it.

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on May 31, 2025, 11:59:57 AM
I'd actually forgotten about that.  The HOA prevents that sort of thing from ever becoming an issue in our new neighborhood.

God Bless the HOA!
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on May 31, 2025, 12:49:35 PM
At my old house, our neighbors had several cars and they always parked a car in front of my house-- even though they had the space to park in front of their own.  Now I completely understand that the streets are public property and there's no legal right to the space in front of your own house, but since they were clearly parking in front of my house, to keep the street clear in front of their own, I found it to be very annoying.  I mentioned it a couple of times and they just sort of said, "oh yeah, sorry."  But they continued to do it anyway.

So, I started parking in front of their house every time they were parked in front of mine.  Eventually, they stopped doing it.
Parking on our street has been a nightmare for most of the past 18 months as our next door neighbors were doing a full down-to-the-studs renovation and putting in a pool. There's been workmen coming and going that entire time. It's a neighborhood without a ton of room anyway, and between my Jeep in the garage, my wife's RX in the driveway, my Flex on the street, and my son's Highlander on the street--sometimes it gets a little difficult to find a place to park with all the extra vehicles there during the day working on the house. 

Well, the sonofabitch about four houses up the street (same guy whose pitbull attacked a golden retriever without provocation and I intervened a few years ago) got pissy one day when my son had been looking for parking and ended up in front of his house. Wrote a nasty note on a piece of paper saying my son should park down by the corner instead. And yet I believe it was literally the first time my son ever parked there; we'd all rather be closer to our own house. Now the bastard puts cones on the street in front of his house to save parking for himself and his giant truck. 

Great job, asshole. Oh, and from the looks of you... Taking a few extra steps each day might do you some good. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on May 31, 2025, 12:59:27 PM
HOA?

Is this a curmudgeon thread, or male Karen?
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: ELA on May 31, 2025, 02:32:49 PM
HOA?

Is this a curmudgeon thread, or male Karen?
Darren
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on May 31, 2025, 10:55:58 PM
The HOA is awesome.  No Karens needed, the fines take care of it all.

Everyone signs up for it, if you don't like it, plenty of places to live that don't have it, for those who enjoy seeing cars on blocks in the neighborhood frontyards.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on June 01, 2025, 09:43:21 AM
https://youtu.be/omGDmvNWLVw
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on June 02, 2025, 09:45:11 AM
Parking on our street has been a nightmare for most of the past 18 months as our next door neighbors were doing a full down-to-the-studs renovation and putting in a pool. There's been workmen coming and going that entire time. It's a neighborhood without a ton of room anyway, and between my Jeep in the garage, my wife's RX in the driveway, my Flex on the street, and my son's Highlander on the street--sometimes it gets a little difficult to find a place to park with all the extra vehicles there during the day working on the house.

Well, the sonofabitch about four houses up the street (same guy whose pitbull attacked a golden retriever without provocation and I intervened a few years ago) got pissy one day when my son had been looking for parking and ended up in front of his house. Wrote a nasty note on a piece of paper saying my son should park down by the corner instead. And yet I believe it was literally the first time my son ever parked there; we'd all rather be closer to our own house. Now the bastard puts cones on the street in front of his house to save parking for himself and his giant truck.

Great job, asshole. Oh, and from the looks of you... Taking a few extra steps each day might do you some good.

Like jgvol said....

It would be a shame if something were to.....happen.....to those cones.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 02, 2025, 09:54:04 AM
Like jgvol said....

It would be a shame if something were to.....happen.....to those cones. 
Everyone has ring cameras now.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on June 12, 2025, 07:06:19 PM
So my immediate neighbor has FINALLY completed--after 18 months--their home remodel. Which for me as someone who works from home 80% of the time, and likes to keep the windows open unless it's 85+ degrees and I need to run the AC, has been rough. Between the construction noise, and the constant music, and all that... It's been rough. 

Well, it's over. Great, right? 

No. They've got teenage boys, they put in a pool, and it's now the summer. And the teenage boys have friends. And they all like to hang out in the backyard and in the pool. So now construction noise and music has been replaced by idiot teenagers and... music. And it's not hot enough for me to close those windows and run the AC yet. And then in the evening they all like to shoot hoops on their basketball hoop in the front yard... Bang. Bang. Bang. Clang. Bang. Bang. Bang. Clang. Ugh. 

Fun. I'd say that at least I don't have to say "GET OFF MY LAWN!", but the basketball occasionally get onto my lawn and they run up there to retrieve. 

Is that "Grumpy Old Man" enough for y'all?
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on June 12, 2025, 07:08:28 PM
That's the spirit!
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on June 12, 2025, 07:13:40 PM
Today at the office, I was walking down the two flights of stairs from my floor, to the cafeteria, to grab some of the worst, most bland office cafeteria food ever, because I didn't have time to pack a lunch like I usually do.

So anyway, I end up stuck behind this guy walking down the stairs very slowly, because... he's on his GD phone, reading and texting.  He's going so slow, but there's enough traffic coming up the stairs, I don't have a chance to get around him.  Finally we get to the bottom, and he takes one step away from the bottom stair, and just stops.  And there's not enough room to get around him.  So I finally just tap him on the shoulder and say, "Excuse me" and he sort of looks back at me blankly, but moves slightly further away from the stairway, and I can finally get around him.

Then after I grab my lunch and I'm headed back up the stairs, on two occasions I encounter people coming down the stairs side by side, just chatting it up, oblivious to oncoming traffic.  Each time they see me, and still make no move to get single file, until they're basically on top of me.  I had to come to a complete stop, because otherwise they would not have moved in time for me to NOT plow into them.

Being back in the office is great, really great!
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on June 12, 2025, 08:26:14 PM
So my immediate neighbor has FINALLY completed--after 18 months--their home remodel. Which for me as someone who works from home 80% of the time, and likes to keep the windows open unless it's 85+ degrees and I need to run the AC, has been rough. Between the construction noise, and the constant music, and all that... It's been rough.

Well, it's over. Great, right?

No. They've got teenage boys, they put in a pool, and it's now the summer. And the teenage boys have friends. And they all like to hang out in the backyard and in the pool. So now construction noise and music has been replaced by idiot teenagers and... music. And it's not hot enough for me to close those windows and run the AC yet. And then in the evening they all like to shoot hoops on their basketball hoop in the front yard... Bang. Bang. Bang. Clang. Bang. Bang. Bang. Clang. Ugh.

Fun. I'd say that at least I don't have to say "GET OFF MY LAWN!", but the basketball occasionally get onto my lawn and they run up there to retrieve.

Is that "Grumpy Old Man" enough for y'all?


Thread winner. 

You know you're grumpy and old when you're a Purdue guy, complaining about basketball sounds. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Gigem on June 12, 2025, 10:35:45 PM
I honestly can’t imagine what it would feel like to leave the windows open into June because it’s not hot enough for AC. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on June 13, 2025, 12:01:38 AM
just move to Cali
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 13, 2025, 06:52:39 AM
just move to Cali
Are you nuts?
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on June 13, 2025, 08:33:18 AM
We were checking in for our flight to SD and Delta had three desks open in that tier, which was enough, but some dude was having major issues and screaming at the desk agent.  Now people were starting to line up.  We got in just before this started.  The man started to walk away several times and turned around to scream and curse at the agent.  Another Delta person, a red coat, was also there trying to defuse.  Meanwhile the line got to maybe 20 and folks were leaving to go to another desk.  I've never seen anyone stay that long so incensed.  We were checked in and leaving and he was still going at it.  

We had a flight on Air Canada a while back that the cruise line had made.  We showed up early to check in and the desk clerk told us the tickets were "not confirmed".  This was bad news as we had a flight to Toronto and then Dubai to board our cruise ship.  We didn't scream and curse, but it lasted a while with him on the phone.  I still had the number for the cruise line air department and fortunately they answered right away and somehow fixed the issue.  I don't know why one would scream and curse that long at an airline employee.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on June 13, 2025, 08:58:02 AM
some losers vent longer than others
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on June 13, 2025, 11:05:35 AM
So my immediate neighbor has FINALLY completed--after 18 months--their home remodel. Which for me as someone who works from home 80% of the time, and likes to keep the windows open unless it's 85+ degrees and I need to run the AC, has been rough. Between the construction noise, and the constant music, and all that... It's been rough.

Well, it's over. Great, right?

No. They've got teenage boys, they put in a pool, and it's now the summer. And the teenage boys have friends. And they all like to hang out in the backyard and in the pool. So now construction noise and music has been replaced by idiot teenagers and... music. And it's not hot enough for me to close those windows and run the AC yet. And then in the evening they all like to shoot hoops on their basketball hoop in the front yard... Bang. Bang. Bang. Clang. Bang. Bang. Bang. Clang. Ugh.

Fun. I'd say that at least I don't have to say "GET OFF MY LAWN!", but the basketball occasionally get onto my lawn and they run up there to retrieve.

Is that "Grumpy Old Man" enough for y'all?

I feel like we were meant to be friends.  I identify with this post.  It has just the right amount of irritability, curmudgeonliness, and tolerance.  

I almost have some sympathy for your young neighbors, as I loved playing basketball until I physically couldn't.  At that age I was out with the neighborhood kids until the sun went down, every day.  Never crossed my mind we might be annoying the Grumpy Old Men.  Which....includes me now, so......I said I almost have sympathy for your young neighbors :)

I'm reminded of Danny Devito and Billy Crystal in Throw Mama From The Train.....crisscross, brad.....crisscross.  I'll take care of your neighbors with too much construction and pools and basketballs, and you take care of my neighbors who won't bring their trash in.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MrNubbz on June 13, 2025, 04:32:27 PM
So my immediate neighbor has FINALLY completed--after 18 months--their home remodel. Which for me as someone who works from home 80% of the time, and likes to keep the windows open unless it's 85+ degrees and I need to run the AC, has been rough. Between the construction noise, and the constant music, and all that... It's been rough.

Well, it's over. Great, right?

No. They've got teenage boys, they put in a pool, and it's now the summer. And the teenage boys have friends. And they all like to hang out in the backyard and in the pool. So now construction noise and music has been replaced by idiot teenagers and... music. And it's not hot enough for me to close those windows and run the AC yet. And then in the evening they all like to shoot hoops on their basketball hoop in the front yard... Bang. Bang. Bang. Clang. Bang. Bang. Bang. Clang. Ugh.


Parking on our street has been a nightmare for most of the past 18 months as our next door neighbors were doing a full down-to-the-studs renovation and putting in a pool. There's been workmen coming and going that entire time. It's a neighborhood without a ton of room anyway, and between my Jeep in the garage, my wife's RX in the driveway, my Flex on the street, and my son's Highlander on the street--sometimes it gets a little difficult to find a place to park with all the extra vehicles there during the day working on the house.

Well, the sonofabitch about four houses up the street (same guy whose pitbull attacked a golden retriever without provocation and I intervened a few years ago) got pissy one day when my son had been looking for parking and ended up in front of his house. Wrote a nasty note on a piece of paper saying my son should park down by the corner instead. And yet I believe it was literally the first time my son ever parked there; we'd all rather be closer to our own house. Now the bastard puts cones on the street in front of his house to save parking for himself and his giant truck.

Great job, asshole. Oh, and from the looks of you... Taking a few extra steps each day might do you some good.
After those who could blame you if you snap, just don't go full William Foster. Even though sometimes others have a kharmic lesson coming
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on June 16, 2025, 09:49:38 AM
This is more of a general complaint than specifically me being a grumpy old man, but I don't know where else to put this.

Early Monday morning meetings should be banned.  Give me a chance to get my work-legs under me, catch up on the emails people send throughout the weekend even though they know I'm not checking them (nor am I required to), get that second cup of (insert caffeine product here) in me, and clear the cobwebs from my brain.  

Don't hit me with back to back 9 am and 10 am meetings to engineer solutions to your decrepit, ancient, abysmal workflows until, like, 11 am on Monday, at the earliest.

Sigh.  Okay, off to early Monday morning meetings.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 16, 2025, 09:57:46 AM
I have one at 11 AM that I'm not happy about.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on June 16, 2025, 09:58:36 AM
Only thing worse than Monday morning meetings, is Friday afternoon meetings, especially in the summer.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 16, 2025, 10:01:08 AM
My business partner used to love to call early Monday morning and later Friday afternoon meetings.

Then I said, I'm gonna have to break away. Those meetings stopped.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MrNubbz on June 16, 2025, 10:09:13 AM
Today at the office, I was walking down the two flights of stairs from my floor, to the cafeteria, to grab some of the worst, most bland office cafeteria food ever, because I didn't have time to pack a lunch like I usually do.

So anyway, I end up stuck behind this guy walking down the stairs very slowly, because... he's on his GD phone, reading and texting.  He's going so slow, but there's enough traffic coming up the stairs, I don't have a chance to get around him.  Finally we get to the bottom, and he takes one step away from the bottom stair, and just stops.  And there's not enough room to get around him.  So I finally just tap him on the shoulder and say, "Excuse me" and he sort of looks back at me blankly, but moves slightly further away from the stairway, and I can finally get around him.

Then after I grab my lunch and I'm headed back up the stairs, on two occasions I encounter people coming down the stairs side by side, just chatting it up, oblivious to oncoming traffic.  Each time they see me, and still make no move to get single file, until they're basically on top of me.  I had to come to a complete stop, because otherwise they would not have moved in time for me to NOT plow into them.

Being back in the office is great, really great!
Here I thought you was a player,mover and a shaker amongst the Tribe.What we have here is a complete lack of respect for Authority. Ya should have dropped the "Do you know who I am" card,I'm sure they would have parted like the Red Sea. Or maybe you should make more office appearances so Dell's detectives aren't tossing you out the side door.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MrNubbz on June 16, 2025, 10:12:28 AM
My business partner used to love to call early Monday morning and later Friday afternoon meetings.

Then I said, I'm gonna have to break away. Those meetings stopped.
Prolly pissed off the Pub/Course Manager
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on June 16, 2025, 10:56:08 AM
Today at the office, I was walking down the two flights of stairs from my floor, to the cafeteria, to grab some of the worst, most bland office cafeteria food ever, because I didn't have time to pack a lunch like I usually do.

So anyway, I end up stuck behind this guy walking down the stairs very slowly, because... he's on his GD phone, reading and texting.  He's going so slow, but there's enough traffic coming up the stairs, I don't have a chance to get around him.  Finally we get to the bottom, and he takes one step away from the bottom stair, and just stops.  And there's not enough room to get around him.  So I finally just tap him on the shoulder and say, "Excuse me" and he sort of looks back at me blankly, but moves slightly further away from the stairway, and I can finally get around him.

Then after I grab my lunch and I'm headed back up the stairs, on two occasions I encounter people coming down the stairs side by side, just chatting it up, oblivious to oncoming traffic.  Each time they see me, and still make no move to get single file, until they're basically on top of me.  I had to come to a complete stop, because otherwise they would not have moved in time for me to NOT plow into them.

Being back in the office is great, really great!
I saw a post on Instagram... Something to the effect of:

There's nothing worse than when you're a fast walker... And you're walking behind another fast walker but they're only 95% as fast as you. So now you have to either slow down, or you have to suddenly accelerate to comically fast walking to appropriately pass them.

Story of my life. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MrNubbz on June 16, 2025, 11:29:19 AM
I saw a post on Instagram... Something to the effect of:

There's nothing worse than when you're a fast walker... And you're walking behind another fast walker but they're only 95% as fast as you. So now you have to either slow down, or you have to suddenly accelerate to comically fast walking to appropriately pass them.

Story of my life.
Ya well you're trying to get to the ball in the rough and use the foot wedge before anyone notices
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on June 16, 2025, 11:49:19 AM
Ya well you're trying to get to the ball in the rough and use the foot wedge before anyone notices
Sounds like...

(https://media4.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTZjMDliOTUyYXU4MHF6bnRiazVsZGpqcjk4ZWVyMjBuM2M4aW84Ynl5NmV3c3AzMiZlcD12MV9naWZzX3NlYXJjaCZjdD1n/GOXDFrZpjTlHG/source.gif)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on June 16, 2025, 12:40:26 PM
I saw a post on Instagram... Something to the effect of:

There's nothing worse than when you're a fast walker... And you're walking behind another fast walker but they're only 95% as fast as you. So now you have to either slow down, or you have to suddenly accelerate to comically fast walking to appropriately pass them.

Story of my life.

This happens a lot to me while driving.  Do I slow down 2-3 mph, or do I risk getting a ticket as I gun it way faster to pass them even though I was already going 10 over the limit?
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: bayareabadger on June 16, 2025, 12:51:31 PM
Only thing worse than Monday morning meetings, is Friday afternoon meetings, especially in the summer.
I had a boss who would do our weekly team check out at 1:30. It wasn’t my favorite, but it was smart from a business sense. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on June 17, 2025, 12:53:17 PM
Today is the first time it won't rain hard here in like a week and a half.  Yesterday, before the weather hit for the remainder of the day, whatever lawn service this university uses came to mow my building.  The ground was still soaking wet from the previous days' rain, and they rutted up the lawn really badly.  

Geez, it's not even my yard and I want to yell at them like an old fart.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Gigem on June 17, 2025, 01:00:27 PM
Today is the first time it won't rain hard here in like a week and a half.  Yesterday, before the weather hit for the remainder of the day, whatever lawn service this university uses came to mow my building.  The ground was still soaking wet from the previous days' rain, and they rutted up the lawn really badly. 

Geez, it's not even my yard and I want to yell at them like an old fart. 
I wonder if Lamar has their own ground crew?  I would think so.  Pretty large place to outsource.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on June 22, 2025, 07:46:25 AM
"Service" dogs .... grrr.

I had friends in Cincy who had a really nice dog they turned into a "service dog" by the expedient of buying a $15 vest for him, no training or anything, just so he could go with them into various stores and restaurants.  I see them more and more, as do we all now.  Many are just regular dogs and their owners don't need any "service".

"Handicapped" parking spaces ...  grrr.

Most of the time folks who use them are just fat and would benefit from walking a bit, if they can walk at all.  Then they get a motorized cart to carry their lard A to the lard section at Kroger where they block the aisle.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 22, 2025, 07:50:02 AM
"Service" dogs are everywhere down here. I HATE that shit. 

Some people, like me, are allergic to f'ing dogs.

Would you invite a hairy naked man into your house, one who doesn't wipe his ass, and let him sit on your couch?

That's a dog.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on June 22, 2025, 08:51:46 AM
I'm a dog person, I like nearly every dog, and they seem to like me.  I'd have dogs were it practicable for us.  I don't like this fake service dog gig.  I lived most of my life without SDs, and so did most other folks.  I understand there are a very few people who benefit from having a TRAINED actual service dog around them, but they probably should be chary of going out in public anyway.

My wife really gets annoyed when she sees on in Kroger or a restaurant.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on June 22, 2025, 08:57:43 AM
maybe why she doesn't like San Diego 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 22, 2025, 09:06:53 AM
Publix doesn't allow "service" dogs. They ask for papers at the door if you try to bring a dog in. 

I used to see them all the time. Now I don't see them - ever.

Good for me.

I'd estimate the percentage of service dogs to "service" dogs is actually around 0.01 percent.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on June 22, 2025, 09:07:51 AM
It is odd, as larger cities go, I find San Diego to be rather appealing.  It's one of a few I'd visit just to visit, I think.  There aren't many in that category but thinking about it there are a fair number for me personally.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on June 22, 2025, 10:08:52 AM
San Diego is the only place in CA that I've been. It was Christmas, and the entire country was like single digits or lower except San Diego, which was fine. It was 2017, the year that OSU played USC in Texas, even though both were conference champs and should have played in the Rose Bowl. I had a layover in Texas on the way back to Columbus, where we picked up a bunch of rabid OSU fans that had attended the game. They said it was cold. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on June 22, 2025, 10:29:02 AM
I'd like to stay at the Hotel del Coronado sometime.
Walked around in the hotel once, great place.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MrNubbz on June 22, 2025, 11:58:15 AM
"Service" dogs are everywhere down here. I HATE that shit.

Some people, like me, are allergic to f'ing dogs.

Would you invite a hairy naked man into your house, one who doesn't wipe his ass, and let him sit on your couch?

That's a dog.
Just be grateful cats don't want to go shopping
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Riffraft on June 22, 2025, 12:22:00 PM
I'm a dog person, I like nearly every dog, and they seem to like me.  I'd have dogs were it practicable for us.  I don't like this fake service dog gig.  I lived most of my life without SDs, and so did most other folks.  I understand there are a very few people who benefit from having a TRAINED actual service dog around them, but they probably should be chary of going out in public anyway.

My wife really gets annoyed when she sees on in Kroger or a restaurant.
In a bar in the airport, some idiot had his dog sitting on the stool next to him.  I absolutely hate going to a restaurant with any kind of animal around. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on June 23, 2025, 09:38:16 AM
Dogs make just about everything better, and I'm a grumpy old fart about people who don't like dogs.

You dog haters are now on my list of suspicious people.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on June 23, 2025, 09:41:33 AM
I love my dog.

I don't think it makes someone a dog-hater, to not want to have animals inside a restaurant or grocery store.  Seems like pretty basic sanitation to me.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 23, 2025, 09:42:54 AM
I love my dog.

I don't think it makes someone a dog-hater, to not want to have animals inside a restaurant or grocery store.  Seems like pretty basic sanitation to me.

Especially if you're allergic to them - like me.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on June 23, 2025, 09:43:39 AM
I love my dog.

I don't think it makes someone a dog-hater, to not want to have animals inside a restaurant or grocery store.  Seems like pretty basic sanitation to me.

"Would you invite a hairy naked man into your house, one who doesn't wipe his ass, and let him sit on your couch?

That's a dog."


Dog hater.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on June 23, 2025, 09:45:44 AM
In a bar in the airport, some idiot had his dog sitting on the stool next to him.  I absolutely hate going to a restaurant with any kind of animal around.
Dogs make just about everything better, and I'm a grumpy old fart about people who don't like dogs.

You dog haters are now on my list of suspicious people. 
"Would you invite a hairy naked man into your house, one who doesn't wipe his ass, and let him sit on your couch?

That's a dog."


Dog hater. 

Your statement followed immediately, as above, and you did not quote that original statement, until just now.

Specificity and precision.

Jackwagons think they can be imprecise and vague, just because their team won the baseball championship.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 23, 2025, 09:46:08 AM
I would never allow a dog - or any animal- to sit on my couch or be on any other furniture.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on June 23, 2025, 09:46:13 AM
breweries seem to love dogs, especially in Colorado and Cali
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on June 23, 2025, 09:47:38 AM
breweries seem to love dogs, especially in Colorado and Cali
My buddy Chip at Live Oak hates having dogs around the brewery, but he likes making money, so he allows dogs in one section of the outdoor biergarten.  But there is also a dog-free section of the outdoor biergarten as well.  And none are allowed inside.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 23, 2025, 09:52:42 AM
My buddy Chip at Live Oak hates having dogs around the brewery, but he likes making money, so he allows dogs in one section of the outdoor biergarten.  But there is also a dog-free section of the outdoor biergarten as well.  And none are allowed inside.
Our local bar no longer allows dogs. People were getting bit.

Same goes for the farmer's markets. No dogs.

And, oh by the way, the dog would rather be home in the AC than walking around barefoot on hot pavement, in a fur coat.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: jgvol on June 23, 2025, 10:02:27 AM
I love my dog.

I don't think it makes someone a dog-hater, to not want to have animals inside a restaurant or grocery store.  Seems like pretty basic sanitation to me.


My house is a restaurant and a grocery store.  I am here....alive.  

J/K -- sorta.  I just happen to like dogs more than people.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: jgvol on June 23, 2025, 10:03:58 AM
I would never allow a dog - or any animal- to sit on my couch or be on any other furniture.

(https://i.imgur.com/NeDQUUW.png)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on June 23, 2025, 10:16:24 AM
I just happen to like dogs more than people.
Me too. 

Granted, that's a low bar. 

But dogs are awesome. Thus I like dogs significantly more than people. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 23, 2025, 10:17:24 AM
You didn't marry a dog.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on June 23, 2025, 10:19:02 AM
My house is a restaurant and a grocery store.  I am here....alive. 

J/K -- sorta.  I just happen to like dogs more than people.
It's your house, you can choose to live however you like.

I've actually watched a dog stop and take a shit in the middle of a grocery store produce aisle.  The owner just sat there and watched it happen.

So, yeah... nope.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on June 23, 2025, 10:19:44 AM
I dunno... The first time, she was a real bitch. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: jgvol on June 23, 2025, 10:22:08 AM
It's your house, you can choose to live however you like.

I've actually watched a dog stop and take a shit in the middle of a grocery store produce aisle.  The owner just sat there and watched it happen.

So, yeah... nope.

What would the owner have done.  Put their thumb in the dogs asshole and ushered him outside?  

I get it, man.  Relax.  No dogs in the grocery....I'm good with it.  LOL

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on June 23, 2025, 10:25:01 AM
What would the owner have done.  Put their thumb in the dogs asshole and ushered him outside? 

I get it, man.  Relax.  No dogs in the grocery....I'm good with it.  LOL


Ushered him outside, yes.  Obviously.  When my dog is squatting to take a dump, if I pull on the leash, she moves and follows me and holds it until I let her stop again.

And I'm plenty relaxed.  I'm making a statement on a message board.  Should I not do that?  What a weird call-out.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: jgvol on June 23, 2025, 10:43:47 AM
Ushered him outside, yes.  Obviously.  When my dog is squatting to take a dump, if I pull on the leash, she moves and follows me and holds it until I let her stop again.

And I'm plenty relaxed.  I'm making a statement on a message board.  Should I not do that?  What a weird call-out.

(https://i.imgur.com/K03IKPx.png)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on June 23, 2025, 10:50:01 AM
(https://i.imgur.com/K03IKPx.png)

(https://images.newrepublic.com/1593b88313e27cfd90187f26d3dd7027363fb396.gif)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on June 23, 2025, 12:03:44 PM
(https://i.imgur.com/K03IKPx.png)


One of my favorite movies. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on June 23, 2025, 12:11:38 PM

One of my favorite movies. 
That wonderful movie was shot in Austin, Texas, by Mike Judge, a fine Austinite! :)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on June 23, 2025, 12:22:31 PM
Yep, his stuff has always landed well with me, from Office Space, to Beavis and Butthead, to King of the Hill.  He gets me.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on June 23, 2025, 12:27:26 PM
I was never a big fan of Beavis and Butthead because it was the show all the stoners liked, and I've always had a pretty low opinion of stoners and stoner culture.  Still, it can't be denied that the show produced some iconic lines and some iconic moments.

On the other hand, King of the Hill is great.  It so perfectly captures suburban Texas culture in a bit of a satirical manner, without being ugly or mean-spirited.

And anyone who's ever worked in a cube farm, especially for a Tech company, has to appreciate Office Space.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on June 23, 2025, 12:30:47 PM
I got assigned to put out a weekly patent report when I was at work.  It was easy because I had three folks in India doing most of the work, I just reformatted the cover page and emailed it.  I called it "The Patent Summary Report".

Only one person ever commented on that, and I had over 100 recipients.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on June 23, 2025, 01:18:27 PM
And anyone who's ever worked in a cube farm, especially for a Tech company, has to appreciate Office Space.
Yep, we watched it frequently in college. I thought it was a great comedy.

Little did I know I was only a few years away from realizing it was a documentary
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on June 23, 2025, 01:23:08 PM
Yep, we watched it frequently in college. I thought it was a great comedy.

Little did I know I was only a few years away from realizing it was a documentary.
(https://media.tenor.com/ILwnVIQ1BGUAAAAM/facts-lebron.gif)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on June 23, 2025, 05:11:34 PM
(https://images.newrepublic.com/1593b88313e27cfd90187f26d3dd7027363fb396.gif)
one of my favorite movies
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on June 25, 2025, 09:15:04 AM
Dentist appt at 10 AM.  I don't like them.  Just routine.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on June 25, 2025, 09:24:30 AM
Dentist appt at 10 AM.  I don't like them.  Just routine.
Yep. I grew up with a fat-fingered pediatric dentist. Why? Why would you do that to kids with kid-sized mouths??

And to make matters worse, I apparently have a high tolerance for Novocain--meaning it doesn't work effectively at "standard" dose. 

So every time I was getting a cavity filled, and I'm white-knuckling it in the chair because I'm in searing pain, that bastard thought I was just being a baby and responding to the sound of the drill. No, you goddamned sadist, I'M IN PAIN because you didn't give me enough Novocain!

As an adult, I now have a dentist that understands this. If I need actual work done, they give me enough to make me not feel it. But there's long-term emotional scar tissue in there now...

So it makes me absolutely HATE going to the dentist, even for routine cleanings. I always make appointments as early in the morning as possible--ESPECIALLY if it's more than just routine cleaning. Because if I have it in the afternoon, I spend the entire day up until the appt in a combination of anxiety and seething anger. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 25, 2025, 09:26:34 AM
Yep. I grew up with a fat-fingered pediatric dentist. Why? Why would you do that to kids with kid-sized mouths??

And to make matters worse, I apparently have a high tolerance for Novocain--meaning it doesn't work effectively at "standard" dose.

So every time I was getting a cavity filled, and I'm white-knuckling it in the chair because I'm in searing pain, that bastard thought I was just being a baby and responding to the sound of the drill. No, you goddamned sadist, I'M IN PAIN because you didn't give me enough Novocain!

As an adult, I now have a dentist that understands this. If I need actual work done, they give me enough to make me not feel it. But there's long-term emotional scar tissue in there now...

So it makes me absolutely HATE going to the dentist, even for routine cleanings. I always make appointments as early in the morning as possible--ESPECIALLY if it's more than just routine cleaning. Because if I have it in the afternoon, I spend the entire day up until the appt in a combination of anxiety and seething anger.

Same here. I need like 4 times the amount of Novocain than most people.

And Xanax. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on June 25, 2025, 09:27:15 AM
cleanings are not pleasant for me but bearable 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on June 25, 2025, 09:55:41 AM
So, funny story that includes an oral surgeon, which is close enough to a dentist in my mind.  

In college I had to have my wisdom teeth removed.  The bottom ones were hidden beneath the gums, and were something called "sideways bony-impacted" which meant it was more of an ordeal than just grabbing the pliers and yanking them out of there.  In my pre-procedure appointment the guy gave me a prescription and instructions to take two percocets and three valiums about 30 minutes before arrival.  I never took any drugs even remotely like that so my system was totally new to metabolizing them.  Obviously someone had to drive me.

I lived about 30 minutes away, so I took the meds and me and my mom got on our way.  About halfway there I noticed I began to feel drowsy, but it was nothing I couldn't handle, I thought.  By the time I got there and mom let me out near the door before she parked, I could really feel the drowsiness as I tried to get out of the SUV and on my feet.  I walked in, went to the window and signed in, and then went and sat down.  After a minute or so the receptionist opened the little window thingy and called me back up to get papers to fill out.  I tried to get up out of the waiting room chair.....and failed.  It felt like a thousand pounds was weighing me down and my legs just couldn't do it.  With great--and I mean great--effort and willpower, I managed to get up and go get the papers.  I started filling them out and anxiously wondered how I was going to get up again, because I could feel it getting worse by the minute.  

Then I had to pee.  By that time mom was in the waiting room with me and she was able to help me up.  Standing once I was up wasn't as bad, but getting myself up was nearly impossible.  I turned in my paperwork and asked where the bathroom was.  They brought me out of the waiting room and showed me the bathroom door.  I walked in and prepared to do my business.

That was my last completely lucid memory.  

The next thing I remembered was becoming semi-conscious, and I could hear the oral surgeon's voice talking to somebody.  I was aware of jerking around inside my mouth, but I could tell everything was numb.  I either didn't open my eyes or I couldn't see.  It was just a brief moment of cognizance of my situation, and the last thing I remember thinking was "Oh, I guess they started.  Well, I can't feel anything, I might as well go back to......."

After that, the next thing I remember was waking up in my bed, my mom was trying to shove some pudding in my mouth and telling me I needed to eat something.  Groggily, I forced myself to wake up enough to ask her was it over, how did it go, and I guess I'm home already?  She laughed and told me "That was yesterday morning.  You slept the entire rest of the day, all night, and now it's noon the next day, and you need to wake up and eat."

I said that the last thing I remembered was going in the bathroom, and I didn't know what happened after that.  She laughed again and said "Well.  About that.  You never came out, and you locked the door.  They knocked and knocked on the door and called for you, but you didn't answer.  So they had to get the key and let themselves in.  They said you were slumped against the wall on the floor, hands on your knees, staring off into space.  It took three nurses to get you up off the floor and into the room where he did the procedure."  

I immediately wondered:  Did I get my pants back up or was I just sitting there on the floor flashing the jewels for all to see?  

I didn't ask, and to this day, I don't want to know.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Gigem on June 25, 2025, 11:23:02 AM
I was never a big fan of Beavis and Butthead because it was the show all the stoners liked, and I've always had a pretty low opinion of stoners and stoner culture.  Still, it can't be denied that the show produced some iconic lines and some iconic moments.

On the other hand, King of the Hill is great.  It so perfectly captures suburban Texas culture in a bit of a satirical manner, without being ugly or mean-spirited.

And anyone who's ever worked in a cube farm, especially for a Tech company, has to appreciate Office Space.
B&B came out when I was in 10th/11th grade (1993 IIRC) and it was a big hit with me and my peers (none of me or my friends were stoners).  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Gigem on June 25, 2025, 11:23:56 AM
Lately, a lot of this:
 Good morning, Team,
I hope this email finds you well.  


AI generated garbage.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on June 25, 2025, 11:24:14 AM
I did not state or suggest that only stoners watched it.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 25, 2025, 11:39:43 AM


So you were unimpressed with CfA?

I've never been impressed. And I hate waffle fries.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on June 25, 2025, 11:43:01 AM
I've never been impressed. And I hate waffle fries.

I'm assuming this was supposed to be posted to the "Happy" thread.  I see this website post to the wrong thread, occasionally.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 25, 2025, 11:45:12 AM
I copied it over to here, because Chick Fil A makes me grumpy, not happy.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on June 25, 2025, 11:47:21 AM
There are times "it" makes me happy to be grumpy.

We had not had CFA in over a year.  I had chicken "tenders", which were decent, as expected.  Somewhere along the way my AMEX went missing, I froze the account.

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on June 25, 2025, 11:48:23 AM
Why would CfA make you grumpy?  Can't you just... not eat it? Does someone force you to eat it against your will?

Personally I like it, and I love waffle fries.

But I don't care if anyone else eats it or not, it doesn't affect my life at all.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on June 25, 2025, 11:56:15 AM
What is the major fast food chain that would make you most grumpy were you forced to dine there?

Maybe you're starving and it's the only thing open for miles ...

I'd probably go with Taco Bell though I have not dined there in over a decade, maybe it's .... OK?

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: jgvol on June 25, 2025, 11:57:00 AM
CfA in my area is always crowded, very popular.

But, despite the crowds, and long drive thru lines, their service is usually impeccable.  It's quite impressive to me, for a highly trafficked fast food joint.  Mostly staffed by teens is even more impressive.  And their food is pretty good to boot.

They apparently have a very successful system in place.  I assume every other CfA is also a seamless operation.

I'm a fan, though I don't indulge very often.

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: jgvol on June 25, 2025, 11:58:41 AM
What is the major fast food chain that would make you most grumpy were you forced to dine there?

Maybe you're starving and it's the only thing open for miles ...

I'd probably go with Taco Bell though I have not dined there in over a decade, maybe it's .... OK?



Every McDonald's in my neck of the woods is a complete CF, so I'd probably go with them.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on June 25, 2025, 12:08:37 PM
We dine at fast food so rarely it's tough to say, it's usually while driving somewhere, and a McDs in one location can be far superior to one somewhere else (thought they try for consistency).  The best thing about CFA is their service.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on June 25, 2025, 12:23:58 PM
Our kids like CfA, and we probably get it at least once per month.  It's by far our most common fast food purchase.

I suppose Taco Bell would make me grumpy, were I somehow forced to consume it at gunpoint.  Nothing on the menu tastes like the original analog to its fast-food version.  The taco meat does not taste like real taco meat, the beans do not taste like real refried beans, and even the cheese does not taste like real cheese, at least not to me.  It's all pseudo-food, faux food.  It's weird.

That said, I ate a boat-load of it in college, because there was one near the engineering buildings where I often spent late nights in the lab or studying in the library, and because it was super-cheap.  $0.59 menu meant I could get two tacos and two burritos for $2.36. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on June 25, 2025, 12:27:17 PM
As a freshman, I recall having breakfast fairly often at a Krystal which was across the street.  My culinary tastes were, um, undeveloped, but I presume it was "OK".  I took my wife to a Krystal once, we were traveling, and she asked me about it.

It would pretty near the bottom for me based on that one experience.

It's amazing to me how many KFCs I've seen in Asia, Copenhagen, Sweden, ...
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: jgvol on June 25, 2025, 12:28:41 PM
Our kids like CfA, and we probably get it at least once per month.  It's by far our most common fast food purchase.

I suppose Taco Bell would make me grumpy, were I somehow forced to consume it at gunpoint.  Nothing on the menu tastes like the original analog to its fast-food version.  The taco meat does not taste like real taco meat, the beans do not taste like real refried beans, and even the cheese does not taste like real cheese, at least not to me.  It's all pseudo-food, faux food.  It's weird.

That said, I ate a boat-load of it in college, because there was one near the engineering buildings where I often spent late nights in the lab or studying in the library, and because it was super-cheap.  $0.59 menu meant I could get two tacos and two burritos for $2.36.

It's drunk food.  Along with Krystal's.  And in that context -- I give both 5 stars.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on June 25, 2025, 12:29:49 PM
Krystal is like White Castle, right?  So gross.

Maybe I've changed my mind.  Being force-fed White Castle would make me REALLY grumpy.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: jgvol on June 25, 2025, 12:30:36 PM
As a freshman, I recall having breakfast fairly often at a Krystal which was across the street.  My culinary tastes were, um, undeveloped, but I presume it was "OK".  I took my wife to a Krystal once, we were traveling, and she asked me about it.

It would pretty near the bottom for me based on that one experience.

It's amazing to me how many KFCs I've seen in Asia, Copenhagen, Sweden, ...

That Krystal breakfast bowl with a biscuit at the bottom, then sausage, then eggs, cheese, and topped with gravy......

That's some good eating, son.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: jgvol on June 25, 2025, 12:33:25 PM
Krystal is like White Castle, right?  So gross.

Maybe I've changed my mind.  Being force-fed White Castle would make me REALLY grumpy.

Krystal is superior to White Castle, despite what the Yankees on this board will say.

Though as stated.....good 2:30 AM bender drive thru "grub".  A sack of Bacon Cheese Krystals, and a chili/cheese fry.  Hard to top.  (unless you hit the Waffle House instead)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on June 25, 2025, 12:34:19 PM
I don't recall what Krystal offered for breakfast back then, it probably was ... simple.

My next two years I moved to a private dorm that had a cafeteria that had pretty good breakfasts.  I ordered the same thing every morning, so the ladies would see me arrive and start cooking.  By the time I had juice and coffee, my eggs were ready with grits and sausage.

A lot of the students didn't make it down for breakfast, even though it was included in the "rent".  That was a pretty nice dorm really, it was coed for one thing, and the regular dorms were not.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on June 25, 2025, 09:36:04 PM
Fast food makes me grumpy 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on June 25, 2025, 10:30:34 PM
Krystal is like White Castle, right?  So gross.

Maybe I've changed my mind.  Being force-fed White Castle would make me REALLY grumpy.


White Castle is the worst one that I've ever tried to eat. I've never had Krystal, but it's knock off White Castle. So it has to be worse. They don't even get the fries right. 



(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXilWvj0NcHYB7-YUuEjrcm9Eqv6iIdqf1goUJGMf80hLg0wyMBaOEx_bYQlRsP6fpn7-XP4OUAzhJbPdFbgbvBh3Rrf-coQUF7msP5K2XvmGWYagYUQ-UuzKVAPItNbcbbVD78M_gWpca/s768/KrystalWhiteCastle-5001.jpg)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Gigem on June 26, 2025, 06:33:55 AM
I did not state or suggest that only stoners watched it.
I didn’t say you did. But for my little slice of GenX it was very popular. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on June 26, 2025, 09:53:04 AM
What a strange reason anyway to not like something or ignore it.  I like or don't like stuff based on my proclivity toward it, not based on whether or not I like/dislike or agree/disagree with some other group that likes something.  

B&B came out when I was in about 8th grade or so.  If it was juvenile, it would make sense that it still had an appeal to me.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on June 26, 2025, 11:01:14 AM
I'm in the middle of a round of medical tests and it's wearing thin.  Both taking time off of work and just the hassle of it all.  The older I get, the more like my dad I get.....I don't like going to the doctor, if something's going on, I don't want to know and I don't think "they" can fix it most of the time anyway.  Whatever happens, I'm probably fine, and if I'm not, oh well.  Unfortunately I'm not willing to put up with the clash with Mrs. DeT that would entail.  

While testing for something else unrelated, a radiologist recommended another imaging to get more info on something he thought he maybe saw.  After an ultrasound more info was confirmed and a final CT was recommended and a referral back to urology, where he'll take the CT results and decide what to do.  I have a mass on my right kidney, which is the concern.  I also have a bunch of nodules on my thyroid, so now I have to go to endocrinology too.  

My wife says the possible scenarios at this time for the kidney are 1) it's cancer--it has to come out (surgery), 2) it's benign, but vascular--it has to come out (surgery), 3) it's benign and basically just a bunch of fat tissue or something that might not hurt anything--it doesn't have to come out, or at least I have the reasonable option to leave it alone.  She says re: the thyroid, it's probably nothing, but Endo needs to biopsy it anyway to be sure it's not cancer, in which case they'll just probably leave it alone and monitor for changes.  

I don't hurt, my kidney function is great, my thyroid function is great, I would rather ignore it all until something changes, and as I said, I'm tired of testing and dr. appointments.  But, my doc recommends against doing nothing, and as mentioned, my wife is kinda up my arse about this.  Plus my mom is always wanting updates (I didn't tell her anything, the wife did that) and doesn't listen when I tell her it's probably nothing, and wants to know when she can tell dad and my sister, etc.  I'm like "Um....whenever there's something to actually tell.  There's just a big ball of nothing at the moment, and it's likely to stay nothing.  There's no indications so far any of this is anything serious."  But at any rate, I don't want them worried, I don't want them fussing over me, I don't want them calling me trying to talk about it.  Lolz, ok, well, my dad will never call to "talk about it," or talk about much of anything, but still.  

AND, I just had an old man surgery just three months ago, by which I mean I had to have a procedure done that is typically something only more elderly men have to deal with.  That was a bunch of appointments, nearly a week off work, and it just puts me way out of the mood for any of this.  

Yes, I'm grumpy about it.  The constant appointments and the fussing by the wife/mom.  Thus, I'm venting here.  God forbid I ever actually get sick because I'm using all my accumulated sick time on these damn appointments.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Gigem on June 26, 2025, 11:23:17 AM
I'm in the middle of a round of medical tests and it's wearing thin.  Both taking time off of work and just the hassle of it all.  The older I get, the more like my dad I get.....I don't like going to the doctor, if something's going on, I don't want to know and I don't think "they" can fix it most of the time anyway.  Whatever happens, I'm probably fine, and if I'm not, oh well.  Unfortunately I'm not willing to put up with the clash with Mrs. DeT that would entail. 

While testing for something else unrelated, a radiologist recommended another imaging to get more info on something he thought he maybe saw.  After an ultrasound more info was confirmed and a final CT was recommended and a referral back to urology, where he'll take the CT results and decide what to do.  I have a mass on my right kidney, which is the concern.  I also have a bunch of nodules on my thyroid, so now I have to go to endocrinology too. 

My wife says the possible scenarios at this time for the kidney are 1) it's cancer--it has to come out (surgery), 2) it's benign, but vascular--it has to come out (surgery), 3) it's benign and basically just a bunch of fat tissue or something that might not hurt anything--it doesn't have to come out, or at least I have the reasonable option to leave it alone.  She says re: the thyroid, it's probably nothing, but Endo needs to biopsy it anyway to be sure it's not cancer, in which case they'll just probably leave it alone and monitor for changes. 

I don't hurt, my kidney function is great, my thyroid function is great, I would rather ignore it all until something changes, and as I said, I'm tired of testing and dr. appointments.  But, my doc recommends against doing nothing, and as mentioned, my wife is kinda up my arse about this.  Plus my mom is always wanting updates (I didn't tell her anything, the wife did that) and doesn't listen when I tell her it's probably nothing, and wants to know when she can tell dad and my sister, etc.  I'm like "Um....whenever there's something to actually tell.  There's just a big ball of nothing at the moment, and it's likely to stay nothing.  There's no indications so far any of this is anything serious."  But at any rate, I don't want them worried, I don't want them fussing over me, I don't want them calling me trying to talk about it.  Lolz, ok, well, my dad will never call to "talk about it," or talk about much of anything, but still. 

AND, I just had an old man surgery just three months ago, by which I mean I had to have a procedure done that is typically something only more elderly men have to deal with.  That was a bunch of appointments, nearly a week off work, and it just puts me way out of the mood for any of this. 

Yes, I'm grumpy about it.  The constant appointments and the fussing by the wife/mom.  Thus, I'm venting here.  God forbid I ever actually get sick because I'm using all my accumulated sick time on these damn appointments. 
Welp, get better bud !  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on June 26, 2025, 11:25:01 AM
I don't hurt, my kidney function is great, my thyroid function is great, I would rather ignore it all until something changes, and as I said, I'm tired of testing and dr. appointments.  But, my doc recommends against doing nothing, and as mentioned, my wife is kinda up my arse about this.
Yeah, I know you don't want to hear it, but the problem with anything that "might" be cancer is that by the time you start feeling like something is wrong, it's typically a lot harder to deal with. 

Plus my mom is always wanting updates (I didn't tell her anything, the wife did that) and doesn't listen when I tell her it's probably nothing, and wants to know when she can tell dad and my sister, etc.  I'm like "Um....whenever there's something to actually tell.  There's just a big ball of nothing at the moment, and it's likely to stay nothing.  There's no indications so far any of this is anything serious."  But at any rate, I don't want them worried, I don't want them fussing over me, I don't want them calling me trying to talk about it.
THIS I understand lol... I don't need to talk to people to deal with my stuff, and so I absolutely HATE when people are brought into my business and then they want to be constantly informed. 

Of course, I also then berate my parents when they'll have something happen like my mom going into the hospital and they don't tell ANY of us that it's going on until she's out. My wife is on my case because I'm going to start up with new primary care doc and she wants me to find out what kind of cancer my dad had--that I didn't know about until years after the fact, and only heard about from thirdhand from my sister. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on June 26, 2025, 11:32:32 AM
What a strange reason anyway to not like something or ignore it.  I like or don't like stuff based on my proclivity toward it, not based on whether or not I like/dislike or agree/disagree with some other group that likes something. 

B&B came out when I was in about 8th grade or so.  If it was juvenile, it would make sense that it still had an appeal to me. 
Let me be clear-- I think it's stupid and juvenile, which is standard for typical stoner humor.  I don't dislike it solely because it appeals to stoners, other than stupid and juvenile stuff tends to appeal to stoners, and I don't like that kind of humor.

I also don't like the Cheech and Chong movies, because they are also stupid and juvenile.

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on June 26, 2025, 11:34:33 AM
Yeah, I know you don't want to hear it, but the problem with anything that "might" be cancer is that by the time you start feeling like something is wrong, it's typically a lot harder to deal with. 

Yeah, yeah.....  Just let me complain like a grumpy old man, will ya?  :)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Gigem on June 26, 2025, 11:36:31 AM
Let me be clear-- I think it's stupid and juvenile, which is standard for typical stoner humor.  I don't dislike it solely because it appeals to stoners, other than stupid and juvenile stuff tends to appeal to stoners, and I don't like that kind of humor.

I also don't like the Cheech and Chong movies, because they are also stupid and juvenile.
I have to admit, if I wasn't in that narrow window of older teenager/early 20's I probably wouldn't have liked it either.  As I age, I re-watch some of the old stuff, and some of the new stuff and I pick up on subtle things that I may have missed as a 15/16 year old.  The writing on some episodes is incredibly good.   A lot of the really good stuff from B&B is pretty directly exported to KoTH, including Hank Hill being almost a carbon copy of Mr. Anderson.  The bit about the hippy high school teacher and his dorky ways is pretty funny as well.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on June 26, 2025, 11:38:15 AM
I have to admit, if I wasn't in that narrow window of older teenager/early 20's I probably wouldn't have liked it either.  As I age, I re-watch some of the old stuff, and some of the new stuff and I pick up on subtle things that I may have missed as a 15/16 year old.  The writing on some episodes is incredibly good.  A lot of the really good stuff from B&B is pretty directly exported to KoTH, including Hank Hill being almost a carbon copy of Mr. Anderson.  The bit about the hippy high school teacher and his dorky ways is pretty funny as well. 
Yeah I really like KotH, possibly because it distills a lot of the good stuff, and omits a lot of the juvenile and stupid stuff, from B&B.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: jgvol on June 26, 2025, 11:43:21 AM
B&B is one of the dumbest, low IQ, idiotic shows ever produced.  And why it was on MTV, no doubt.

I was drinking and stoning back then, but still wasn't that low brow.

Also, it was hugely popular (a fad), everyone quoted it non-stop, to the point of making me sick.  I generally zig, when everyone else is zagging, so there is that.

I am in the correct thread, right?
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on June 26, 2025, 11:46:31 AM
Let me be clear-- I think it's stupid and juvenile, which is standard for typical stoner humor.  I don't dislike it solely because it appeals to stoners, other than stupid and juvenile stuff tends to appeal to stoners, and I don't like that kind of humor.

I also don't like the Cheech and Chong movies, because they are also stupid and juvenile.

I figured you probably had other reasons such as these for not liking it.  Your post just didn't read that way, so I wasn't sure.  

For me, there's a distinction between stupid and juvenile stoner mentality, and something that makes fun of stupid and juvenile stoner mentality via satire.  I considered Beavis and Butthead the latter, but obviously one's mileage can vary.  It clearly made use of stupid and juvenile humor, so if one does not make a distinction, I can see that.  I thought it was done in service to mocking kids like that, so it struck a different chord for me.  

I actually never saw a whole Cheech and Chong movie, so I can't comment on those.  

It's kinda like Breaking Bad, which we previously discussed in the movies/tv thread.  My brother-in-law used to work at a drug rehab center in DFW and he says all the guys there just loved Walter White and viewed him as some sort of hero.  I thought it was obvious the show was trying to show how little there was redeemable about the guy, and ultimately how those life choices lead to terrible things.  But the show did indeed present him as some law-breaking DGAF guy, and those guys apparently saw the same show and thought it was presenting something you're supposed to endorse or look up to.  I thought it was presenting something you're supposed to despise.  Either way, it definitely made use of the aspiring drug-kingpin character and so it's interesting to note how different people viewed it.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on June 26, 2025, 12:08:48 PM
Yeah I understood what Breaking Bad was trying to do, I just had no interest in watching them do it.

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Riffraft on June 26, 2025, 12:21:23 PM
Personally I am not sure what is wrong with most of y'all's taste buds.  I love downing a sack of white castles.  I don't get to do it too often because their isn't one near me, but when one of my football games takes me near I have been know to stop on the way home. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on June 26, 2025, 12:24:18 PM
Personally I am not sure what is wrong with most of y'all's taste buds.  I love downing a sack of white castles.  I don't get to do it too often because their isn't one near me, but when one of my football games takes me near I have been know to stop on the way home.
I think it's the texture, which is slightly more awful than the taste, of them.  They're really disgusting.

They make McDonald's burgers taste like a gourmet meal by comparison.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on June 26, 2025, 12:26:22 PM
Yeah I really like KotH, possibly because it distills a lot of the good stuff, and omits a lot of the juvenile and stupid stuff, from B&B.

Plus, KotH has Boomhauer.

And also, to this day, anytime I hear the word "butane" I quote Bobby Hill, "My daddy says butane is a bastard gas," whether or not people around me get the joke or not.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: jgvol on June 26, 2025, 12:40:16 PM
A lot of people don't care for the steamed bun on the White Castle/Krystal.

It gets a little damp/wettish.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on June 26, 2025, 12:41:44 PM
Yup
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Gigem on June 26, 2025, 01:10:11 PM
Yeah I really like KotH, possibly because it distills a lot of the good stuff, and omits a lot of the juvenile and stupid stuff, from B&B.
I think even Mike Judd said back in the day that he never intended B&B to go on very long, maybe 1-2 seasons until it got as big as it did.  I think it ended up going 5 seasons originally and he took it off the air and went straight into KoTH.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Gigem on June 26, 2025, 01:11:21 PM
Plus, KotH has Boomhauer.

And also, to this day, anytime I hear the word "butane" I quote Bobby Hill, "My daddy says butane is a bastard gas," whether or not people around me get the joke or not. 
Do you do it in your best HH accent?  

"Bobby, if you weren't my son, I'd hug you".  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on June 26, 2025, 01:17:49 PM
I'm headed to Cincy end of August, hope to have a chance at some real chili while I'm there.   
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on June 26, 2025, 01:19:22 PM
(https://media0.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTZjMDliOTUycDhnaTd3NG9obGwzb2YxcXcybmx0eTFrbnVwaTNtdzRuOTY0dTkzdSZlcD12MV9naWZzX3NlYXJjaCZjdD1n/IDGNYvFLkJKLK/giphy-downsized.gif)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on June 26, 2025, 02:28:29 PM
"20 rat burgers, hold the tails"
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on June 26, 2025, 05:11:17 PM
Do you do it in your best HH accent? 

"Bobby, if you weren't my son, I'd hug you". 

I do it in my best Bobby accent. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on June 26, 2025, 06:07:44 PM
I laughed at the first couple Cheech & Chong movies

never saw Bevis
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on June 27, 2025, 04:59:50 AM
I'm in the middle of a round of medical tests and it's wearing thin.  Both taking time off of work and just the hassle of it all.  The older I get, the more like my dad I get.....I don't like going to the doctor, if something's going on, I don't want to know and I don't think "they" can fix it most of the time anyway.  Whatever happens, I'm probably fine, and if I'm not, oh well.  Unfortunately I'm not willing to put up with the clash with Mrs. DeT that would entail. 

While testing for something else unrelated, a radiologist recommended another imaging to get more info on something he thought he maybe saw.  After an ultrasound more info was confirmed and a final CT was recommended and a referral back to urology, where he'll take the CT results and decide what to do.  I have a mass on my right kidney, which is the concern.  I also have a bunch of nodules on my thyroid, so now I have to go to endocrinology too. 

My wife says the possible scenarios at this time for the kidney are 1) it's cancer--it has to come out (surgery), 2) it's benign, but vascular--it has to come out (surgery), 3) it's benign and basically just a bunch of fat tissue or something that might not hurt anything--it doesn't have to come out, or at least I have the reasonable option to leave it alone.  She says re: the thyroid, it's probably nothing, but Endo needs to biopsy it anyway to be sure it's not cancer, in which case they'll just probably leave it alone and monitor for changes. 

I don't hurt, my kidney function is great, my thyroid function is great, I would rather ignore it all until something changes, and as I said, I'm tired of testing and dr. appointments.  But, my doc recommends against doing nothing, and as mentioned, my wife is kinda up my arse about this.  Plus my mom is always wanting updates (I didn't tell her anything, the wife did that) and doesn't listen when I tell her it's probably nothing, and wants to know when she can tell dad and my sister, etc.  I'm like "Um....whenever there's something to actually tell.  There's just a big ball of nothing at the moment, and it's likely to stay nothing.  There's no indications so far any of this is anything serious."  But at any rate, I don't want them worried, I don't want them fussing over me, I don't want them calling me trying to talk about it.  Lolz, ok, well, my dad will never call to "talk about it," or talk about much of anything, but still. 

AND, I just had an old man surgery just three months ago, by which I mean I had to have a procedure done that is typically something only more elderly men have to deal with.  That was a bunch of appointments, nearly a week off work, and it just puts me way out of the mood for any of this. 

Yes, I'm grumpy about it.  The constant appointments and the fussing by the wife/mom.  Thus, I'm venting here.  God forbid I ever actually get sick because I'm using all my accumulated sick time on these damn appointments. 
With no wife to nag me into it, I'm avoiding all this.  I know that if I go in and get a thorough exam, 3-4 things will be wrong/concerning, and I'll get to have a host of appointments and "maybes" and "probably nothings."  Or I have like 3 different types of cancer.  That's where I feel like most of us end up, anyway.

To have had only a high ankle sprain, an ear infection, and plantar faciitis in one foot is pretty good health for the last 25 years.  
But I also still eat like a college student and don't exercise.  So while my visual body has been fine, my internals are probably a mess.

Get all you've had looked at looked at closer.  Might as well, you've dipped your toe in.  Shit, it's 2025, and they can't do better than "there's a mass on your kidney?"  Seems to me whatever found that is a waste of time and they should just start with whatever's next, for any kind of precision.

Anyway, I hope all is well.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on June 27, 2025, 05:06:01 AM
Krystal is superior to White Castle, despite what the Yankees on this board will say.
It's the same.  
It's 80% bread.
There is no need to romanticize fast food.
Not with posts here, not with a movie.

That being said, I was wanting something I hadn't had in a long time, and was going to go to White Castle tonight....but the only locations are all on the edges of the Phoenix area.  I'm in the middle bit.  So I went somewhere else.

Both Krystal and WC sell you 15% cheaper burgers so they can provide you with 20% less meat.  That's really all it is.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on June 27, 2025, 06:49:54 AM
My neighbor tells me he is basically recovered from his prostate treatment (proton therapy).  He still has to have his PSA monitored, but he is feeling normal now.

I seem to be doing OK.  I'm not drinking a bottle of wine plus every night at least.  I swim most days, a little, and run or throw or go to the gym nearly every day.  I still have that belly fat accumulated over decades.

I started taking a multivitamin though I probably don't need it.

The heat thing outside is ebbing some, it was hotter in the NE than here though.  My step daughter was complaining to her mom about how hot it is in Marseille where it gets tough because they don't have AC generally speaking.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on June 27, 2025, 07:12:10 AM
my doc suggested a multivitamin would be a good thing
I took one for a year or so.  I should probably get another bottle - wouldn't hurt me
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 27, 2025, 08:10:33 AM
Cardiologist appointment at 11AM. Film at 11PM.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Riffraft on June 27, 2025, 10:57:12 AM
I have an annual physical with full work up.  Colonoscopy every 5 years (due this year). Take a multivitamin, 500 IU of Vitamin E and 1000mg of vitamin C every day.  I have a few chronic things, Gout (take a pill to help prevent flareups), Acid Reflex (take prescription priloec) and glaucoma (3 different eye drops at various time during the day, Lost almost no vision so far because it was caught very early).  But everything seems to be good every year, low PSA, etc.  But I have known too many people who don't get checkups and find out they are very ill or dying when if they had just had regular checkups it could have been caught before it became terminal.  Regular physicals aren't perfect but for a once a year hour or two quite worth it. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on June 27, 2025, 11:16:26 AM
As I mentioned once, I haven't had a checkup since before COVID. My company had sponsored an on-site health clinic which made it really convenient to schedule, since all I had to do was walk up two flights of stairs from my office. I really liked the doctor there; he was very thorough and would take the time to really sit with you--my annual checkup appts were typically a full hour. They even offered services like PT which was useful after I sprained my wrist in late 2015... But then COVID showed up, nobody was going to the office, and so it didn't make sense to continue with the clinic.

But I finally have the names of two doctors recommended, that are in network, so I'm going to call one of them today and try to establish as my new primary care doctor and get my checkup scheduled. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on June 27, 2025, 11:20:14 AM
I went for many years with no checkup, no doctor visit for me at all.  I had a run in with our insurance, imagine that, with one of my kids' treatments.  Nobody at the insurance could explain why something wasn't covered when clearly it was listed to be covered.

So, in a bit of a pique I quit going.  I took my kids as needed, and didn't have any more bad run ins.  My wife can be a bit of a nag about stuff like this, imagine that, so when we moved here I found a pretty good MD I go to once a year.  Mostly I want to look at my blood numbers.  I'm reading oral health may be important for more than your teeth also.

I wish I could lose weight better than I am, it seems clingy.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on June 27, 2025, 12:20:39 PM
Get all you've had looked at looked at closer.  Might as well, you've dipped your toe in.  Shit, it's 2025, and they can't do better than "there's a mass on your kidney?"  Seems to me whatever found that is a waste of time and they should just start with whatever's next, for any kind of precision.

Anyway, I hope all is well.

Thanks.

It's an insurance thing, and I can't tell if it makes sense to me because it actually makes sense or because I used to go through all this for patients when I worked at a clinic.  I guess my wife would be much better equipped to answer the first part.  The insurance companies won't approve certain tests without certain conditions or until other tests have been done first.  What happened in this case was a CT of my chest caught just enough of down where my kidney is that the radiologist thought there might be something there to look closer at, but the CT was of the wrong area to really know for sure.  When that happens, a lot of times you have to do an ultrasound first, insurance won't just jump straight to paying for another CT.  If an ultrasound confirms a problem, a CT may be recommended to gather more information.

Given the vast differences in costs between various types of imaging tests, I guess I get it.  For example, we'd catch breast cancer like gangbusters and basically never miss if women had MRI's.  But, the reality is, mammograms are actually pretty good (just not as good as MRIs) and they're so much cheaper, and insurance won't pay for MRIs when mammograms are a thing.  

For my ethics presentation as part of my capstone, I did a presentation on AI in radiology.  In researching it I learned that soon AI could reduce time (and therefore cost) on MRIs to the point where they could become more financially feasible for more circumstances.  BUT....I'm not holding my breath, where business, profit, and especially medical guidelines are concerned, which are like trying to push on a glacier to make it move faster.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on June 27, 2025, 01:12:01 PM
Of course grumpy old man time... So I haven't been to the doc in 6 years. 

My wife has been telling me for years now that I should go. But... She works in a medical office, and she has ideas on who I should or shouldn't go to since my previous PCP is no longer available. I got a recommendation from a retired coworker, and that doctor isn't accepting new patients. So I started doing my own research and sent my wife some of the names--this might have been as long as a year ago, and all I got back was "No" lol... So I told her--"okay, you pick". 

Which she finally did--she gave me three names about a week and a half ago, and I just started looking at it yesterday. After she'd chided me a few days ago about having done nothing with the names. 

So I narrow it down and pick one, telling her I'm going to call today about establishing as a new patient. And what I get back from my anxious wife is...

"Why are you on this so much all of a sudden? Are you ok?"

Ummm... :smiley_confused1:
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on June 27, 2025, 01:41:19 PM
Yup.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on June 27, 2025, 02:47:02 PM
...this might have been as long as a year ago...

Which she finally did--she gave me three names about a week and a half ago, and I just started looking at it yesterday. After she'd chided me a few days ago about having done nothing with the names. 

This checks out.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on June 27, 2025, 02:54:08 PM
Of course, she gave me three names in order of her preference. I eliminated #2 because he didn't show up on my insurance website as in network--and his head shot made him look like a complete meathead. 

Called #1--he's not accepting new patients. GRR...

But got set up with #3, so I'll get to go in mid-August, get my check-up, and have him tell me that everything except my liver is in good working order. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 27, 2025, 03:19:06 PM
Milk Thistle is a good friend for the liver.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: jgvol on June 27, 2025, 03:42:26 PM
Milk Thistle is a good friend for the liver.

So is Knob Creek.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on June 27, 2025, 04:33:21 PM
(https://i.imgur.com/XsiLyqM.png)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Honestbuckeye on June 27, 2025, 04:34:04 PM
My go to.  Nothing fancy but smooth and consistent.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on June 27, 2025, 04:41:54 PM
Our new next door neighbors came over the other night when I hosted a party at the house and I served BBQ brisket and ribs.  They're really nice, younger couple with a 4-year-old daughter, and they've brought us over wine on a couple of occasions.  But after they got here and we were drinking some bourbon, the husband said he had a bottle of whiskey he wanted to bring over.  So he runs back home for a second, then comes back into our backyard, and he's carrying this:

(https://i.imgur.com/2hbn5eH.png)

I've had some Japanese whiskeys before and liked them, but this one was really, REALLY good. It was about 3/4 full when he brought it over but the 8 adults that were present, went through that thing in less than an hour.  Later after they left, my i s c & a aggie wife looked it up, and discovered it was something like a $180 bottle.  And man it tastes like it.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: ELA on June 27, 2025, 04:56:15 PM
My liver enzymes were slightly elevated at my 2021 physical.  My PCP said everyone drank more than they should during COVID, and largely ignored it.

They were even higher in 2022, but still not concerning.

Then in 2023, my blood pressure and cholesterol had spiked, but I had also gained like 40 lbs.  Nothing about my lifestyle had changed, but they put me on a statin.  Solved the blood pressure, but it spiked my liver enzymes off the chart.  I've had liver issues ever since, and just got a biopsy last week.  I don't like to bother my parents with medical things, but felt like I should let her know about that.  She then brought up that when my dad switched jobs in 1987 and had blood tests, they told him he had the liver of a lifelong alcoholic at age 32.  But he didn't drink at all, because his dad drank himself to death.  So at that point they just wrote it off, because every liver issue was written off as alcoholism, or the liver wasn't checked when you died from heart diesease.

Well, once I got diagnosed, talked to my siblings, they got checked, and 3/4 of us have faulty livers.  And its getting tested more regularly because lots of unhealthy habits test it.  In previous generations is was just alcohol, because we didn't eat the shit we do now.  They also set me up with a dietician that makes easy changes.  We eat more fried food in general, but we also eat out more, and the cheap side is chips or fries.  Paying the extra $1 for broccoli or a baked potato is an easy change.  But men are drinking less than they did in previous generations, but we are seeing MORE liver issues.

Funny thing was that the weight gain was liver related, and they treated it like a symptom, not a cause
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 27, 2025, 05:03:15 PM
Jeez. That's rough ELA.

I take milk thistle and this stuff. Liver numbers are always good.

(https://i.imgur.com/h86lc8d.png)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on June 27, 2025, 05:15:45 PM
Sorry to hear @ELA (https://www.cfb51.com/index.php?action=profile;u=55) -- at least I know if I have liver problems they're self-induced...

But that does bring up one thing. I think I have elevated blood pressure. Which is odd b/c I work out a lot and generally eat well. Although by BMI I'm technically obese, I'm obese in the same way that an NFL player is obese--I have abnormally high muscle mass.

I'm not sure, though, if my BP is high enough to warrant doing something about it. It might just be high enough that it's something we watch rather than address... But I also have an essential tremor. A beta blocker is usually used for BP. And one of the side effects of a beta blocker is that it keeps a tremor in check. And apparently also improves your golf game... Which I need a lot of improvement there.

Soooo... We'll see.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 27, 2025, 05:26:54 PM
Why are you guys posting booze on here? That's for the happy thread.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MrNubbz on June 27, 2025, 05:51:00 PM
  But men are drinking less than they did in previous generations, but we are seeing MORE liver issues.

Funny thing was that the weight gain was liver related, and they treated it like a symptom, not a cause
Evidently a lot of that has to do with the Big Food Empire putting manufactured everything instead of natural means and it's went unchecked for quite some time. One of the holistic Drs online suggest getting unpasturized,organic apple cider vinegar and sauerkraut/Kimchi for digestive tract health.I've been trying the ACV 4oz in morning and night and feel pretty good.I mix it with spring water but make sure you rinse your mouth good after because of the acid effect on tooth enamel if you choose to try it . I'll be getting a wellness check and blood test with in a month. Diet change is a biggy along with keep on moving
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on June 27, 2025, 09:29:15 PM
(https://i.imgur.com/W2huqqb.gif)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Gigem on June 28, 2025, 11:34:58 PM
https://twitter.com/eatinerni/status/1939043192130634042?s=46&t=EHozF964Pc_xZmTZKPCcEA
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on June 29, 2025, 05:35:23 AM
Nothing grumpy about sauerkraut/Kimchi or skyline chili coney
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on June 30, 2025, 08:20:00 AM
(https://i.imgur.com/ERVj29P.png)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: bayareabadger on June 30, 2025, 08:45:50 AM
I went to the gym three days in a row and I’m feeling creaky as hell.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on June 30, 2025, 12:34:27 PM
I've had some Japanese whiskeys before and liked them, but this one was really, REALLY good. It was about 3/4 full when he brought it over but the 8 adults that were present, went through that thing in less than an hour.  Later after they left, my i s c & a aggie wife looked it up, and discovered it was something like a $180 bottle.  And man it tastes like it.

Sounds like this goes in the What Made You Happy thread.

Also.....those neighbors are trying way too hard to get you to like them.  I'm suspicious.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on June 30, 2025, 12:45:52 PM
I went to the gym three days in a row and I’m feeling creaky as hell.
I was out running earlier and recallling how "back in the day" I could get in pretty good shape in a week.  I could go from sedentary to running pretty well in a few days, it was easy.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on June 30, 2025, 02:40:13 PM
I have a terrible headache.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on July 01, 2025, 12:31:55 PM
That stupid CT was with both oral and IV contrast, for some reason.  I thought it would just be IV.  That means it took considerably longer, and I had to down 30+ oz of barium and my mouth tastes like iodine for the next few hours (that's the IV contrast, not the oral).    

Not the most pleasant stuff to drink.  I told a co-worker a while ago that if I suddenly left, I'm not being rude or uninterested in what she's saying (tho I am), it's that I'm running for a toilet or a sink to yak.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on July 08, 2025, 11:39:13 AM
We have a place for building residents to post information, requests, etc.  Some DUDE just posted he wanted a recommendation for a "licensed handyman" to replace  his fridge filter and furnace filter.

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on July 08, 2025, 11:46:51 AM
I could see wanting help replacing a fridge or a furnace...
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on July 08, 2025, 11:49:52 AM
I'd want more than help.  I have a "furnace guy" fortunately who installed our latest heat pump.  I couldn't have done it.

I can handle swapping out filters.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on July 08, 2025, 12:51:07 PM
Hmm.

If that's the trajectory we're headed down, I might be able to make it as a handyman. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on July 08, 2025, 01:26:40 PM
I'm trying to picture somebody here posting in the DIY thread "changed a 'fridge filter this weekend." 

I'd like to think Drew would auto-ban him.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on July 08, 2025, 01:29:23 PM
My wife changes the fridge and A/C filters.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Gigem on July 08, 2025, 01:42:57 PM
Some of the fridge filters I have done in the past were literally behind the fridge and you had to move it.  I can see somebody who is elderly not being able to get back there and get it apart.  Mine you need tools to disconnect the lines.  

For the HVAC filter there are some that are built into the unit that are in the attic or other hard to reach place.  Same issue with elderly etc.  

There may also be a warranty issue involved where they are needing to get the work done by somebody licensed to preserve for warranty purposes.  

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on July 08, 2025, 01:53:17 PM
My wife changes the fridge and A/C filters.
They have filters?
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on July 08, 2025, 02:14:48 PM
They have filters?
Yup, water filter for water and ice on the fridge, and return air filters on the return air ducts on the A/C units.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on July 08, 2025, 02:37:27 PM
I forgot to add a smiley, and your sarcasm meter is broken.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on July 08, 2025, 02:57:46 PM
I forgot to add a smiley, and your sarcasm meter is broken.
I thought you were just highlighting your wealth and how you are above dealing with such things, unlike us dirty unwashed huddled masses...
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on July 08, 2025, 03:13:58 PM
This thread creates pressure to have an unpleasant experience to justify a grumpy frame of mind.  

I find that discriminatory.  

What if I just have a general disposition of minor grumpiness today for no apparent reason?  In fact, it could be said that not having a particular reason is precisely what makes one an excellent grump (and I'm old enough, I guess, ergo, a grumpy old man).  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MrNubbz on July 08, 2025, 03:46:23 PM
my doc suggested a multivitamin would be a good thing
I took one for a year or so.  I should probably get another bottle - wouldn't hurt me
Nah put the money into used driving range balls - hot tip for the week
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on July 08, 2025, 05:17:22 PM
I don't spend time at the driving range - the bev cart doesn't drive over there
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on July 08, 2025, 05:24:22 PM
Yup, water filter for water and ice on the fridge, and return air filters on the return air ducts on the A/C units.
this implies you have a fancy fridge with ice/water on the door
up in the great white north the same return air duct goes into the furnace/AC

my furnace filter is a monster - 20x25x5 - costs a stoopid amount of money - and with the workmanship of the tinwork/sheet metal work under the furnace is a bitch to change.

makes me damned grumpy every 6 months!!!!
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on July 08, 2025, 07:09:51 PM
My wife wants the water and air filters in the fridge changed any time the light lights.  I don't think they do much of anything myself, especially the air filter.  The standard water filter is nearly $50 but I did find an off brand that is about $20.  It's easy to change, the air filter requires a minor contortion, or emptying half the fridge.

Our HVACs were behind a rather heavy "door" that I had to wrestle away from the mountings to change the air filters.  We had a guy doing some work and I asked him to mount the door on hinges, problem solved.  Now they just open easy as Pi.  The guy was depopcorning our lower level offices, which still had the old ceilings.  We weren't around for that fortunately.  They did clean up pretty much.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on July 09, 2025, 09:46:18 AM
Both the air and water filter are pretty easily accessible in our fridge.  I think it's a Samsung.  I don't know the recommended amount of time to change them, but it claims to be "smart" and it tells us when to change them.  It's only claimed it needed its filters changed once in owning it about 3 years now.  I bought a 3-pack of each, so two of each are just sitting in the box collecting dust.  Don't know when I'll ever use them.

The two biggest problems we have with the fridge are: 

1) it's design makes it not-ideal for the space it sits in.  I tried to argue my wife out of that model for that very reason, but guess who was adamant and who decided to let it go.  Consequently the situation is exactly what I said it would be and the left door won't open correctly and it annoys the hell out of me.  Amazingly, she doesn't care at all.  She wanted that model and it doesn't seem to phase her that one door is half useless.  

2) the pest control guys had to install a bath-trap in the wall by the fridge because the other side of that wall is where the guest bath is.  Every time they come to spray I have to move the fridge completely out so they can get to it and then put it back in.  I don't think it would be so bad if the kitchen floor were flat, but the tile is textured, so items with rollers such as the fridge don't just go where you want them to without a lot more force and finagling.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on July 09, 2025, 09:48:52 AM
Both the air and water filter are pretty easily accessible in our fridge.  I think it's a Samsung.  I don't know the recommended amount of time to change them, but it claims to be "smart" and it tells us when to change them.  It's only claimed it needed its filters changed once in owning it about 3 years now.  I bought a 3-pack of each, so two of each are just sitting in the box collecting dust.  Don't know when I'll ever use them.

The two biggest problems we have with the fridge are:

1) it's design makes it not-ideal for the space it sits in.  I tried to argue my wife out of that model for that very reason, but guess who was adamant and who decided to let it go.  Consequently the situation is exactly what I said it would be and the left door won't open correctly and it annoys the hell out of me.  Amazingly, she doesn't care at all.  She wanted that model and it doesn't seem to phase her that one door is half useless. 

2) the pest control guys had to install a bath-trap in the wall by the fridge because the other side of that wall is where the guest bath is.  Every time they come to spray I have to move the fridge completely out so they can get to it and then put it back in.  I don't think it would be so bad if the kitchen floor were flat, but the tile is textured, so items with rollers such as the fridge don't just go where you want them to without a lot more force and finagling. 
We have a Samsung with "French" doors too. Filter is a piece of cake.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: jgvol on July 09, 2025, 10:51:29 AM
I had no idea refrigerators had air filters.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on July 09, 2025, 10:56:22 AM
hope mine doesn't
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on July 09, 2025, 11:46:49 AM
Most new fridges have air filters, I don't think they do much of anything.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Riffraft on July 09, 2025, 11:57:37 AM
this implies you have a fancy fridge with ice/water on the door
up in the great white north the same return air duct goes into the furnace/AC

my furnace filter is a monster - 20x25x5 - costs a stoopid amount of money - and with the workmanship of the tinwork/sheet metal work under the furnace is a bitch to change.

makes me damned grumpy every 6 months!!!!
I just have the company that services my a/c and furnace every 6 months change out all my filters.  And I have a null filter in my fridge because I have r/o water sent to my ice maker, so when the water softerner and r/o system is serviced once a year it is handled.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on July 09, 2025, 12:03:34 PM
I looked into an R/O system for here. Man, those waste a lot of water.

We have a softener and a Halo system.

Definitely not on par with Lake Michigan water, but not as bad as it was when we moved in.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on July 09, 2025, 12:27:24 PM
R/O water tastes awful unless it blends back in some salts.

The city water here is fine with me.  The bedrock is granite, not limestone, so the hardness is pretty low.  I don't taste the chlorine.

Our big problem is old water mains.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MrNubbz on July 09, 2025, 12:35:30 PM
Out of sight out of mind - until it bursts
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on July 09, 2025, 12:47:05 PM
R/O water tastes awful unless it blends back in some salts.

The city water here is fine with me.  The bedrock is granite, not limestone, so the hardness is pretty low.  I don't taste the chlorine.

Our big problem is old water mains.
Water here is very hard.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on July 09, 2025, 12:52:44 PM
(https://i.imgur.com/Rog6u3P.png)

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on July 09, 2025, 12:55:42 PM
A VERY different map, making me grumpy:

(https://i.imgur.com/oyCtCqC.png)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on July 09, 2025, 01:20:14 PM
Horrible H20: Why Does Florida Have Hard Water? | Smart Cities Dive (https://www.smartcitiesdive.com/ex/sustainablecitiescollective/horrible-h20-why-does-florida-have-hard-water/214786/)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on July 09, 2025, 01:32:05 PM
I'm grumpy from thinking about the $15K I spent to have mediocre water (major upgrade from terrible).
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on July 09, 2025, 01:39:00 PM
I was unaware Florida had hard water, and I used to work on laundry detergents back in the day.  

I learn things here often.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on July 09, 2025, 06:09:32 PM
I use RO to prepare brewing water. That was a pretty solid change to beer quality.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on July 10, 2025, 07:06:40 AM
(https://i.imgur.com/B3TnCcY.png)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Gigem on July 10, 2025, 07:12:59 AM
(https://i.imgur.com/Rog6u3P.png)
I sell and install water softeners as part of my business. Most of our groundwater is 7-10 grains, but we can also have iron. We also have wells with 20 grains or more. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on July 10, 2025, 07:18:42 AM
(https://i.imgur.com/B3TnCcY.png)
buy in the 10lb chubs
at less the 1lb tubes
they charge a lot to make nice patties
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on July 10, 2025, 07:23:48 AM
The variation in water hardness throughout Iowa influences not only the taste and aesthetics of the water but also the efficiency of soaps and detergents, plumbing maintenance, and the lifespan of appliances that utilize water. Given the state’s geological diversity, water hardness is not uniform, highlighting the need for localized water treatment solutions and ongoing monitoring of water quality.

In the provided data, the water hardness levels show substantial variations across different cities in Iowa. Among the cities for which data is reported, the highest water hardness level is recorded in Hiawatha with a hardness of 291.0 ppm, 17.0 gpg. Conversely, the city with the lowest recorded water hardness level is Iowa City, reporting a hardness of 107.5 ppm, 6.3 gpg.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on July 10, 2025, 07:25:58 AM
Our TDS was 440. Now it's 180. I could get it lower with an RO system added on to what I already have.

It's 100 out of the fridge, which is what we drink.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Gigem on July 10, 2025, 07:39:36 AM
Our TDS was 440. Now it's 180. I could get it lower with an RO system added on to what I already have.

It's 100 out of the fridge, which is what we drink.
TDS usually runs 800-1200 here on well water. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on July 10, 2025, 07:43:14 AM
I was used to less than 50.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on July 10, 2025, 07:44:12 AM
TDS usually runs 800-1200 here on well water.
That's what it is here before it comes out of the treatment plant.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on July 10, 2025, 09:19:42 AM
[img width=343.455 height=222]https://i.imgur.com/B3TnCcY.png[/img]
92% IMHO is a terrible burger. Too lean. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on July 10, 2025, 09:24:23 AM
92% IMHO is a terrible burger. Too lean.
Yes, it's OK for spaghetti etc. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on July 10, 2025, 09:32:27 AM
92% IMHO is a terrible burger. Too lean.
You know what I went through last year. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on July 10, 2025, 10:01:35 AM
You know what I went through last year.
True. Hoping I never need the same.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on July 10, 2025, 10:08:00 AM
It still hurts, 7 months in. You don't want this.

92 is fine in a cast iron skillet. Can't grill it.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on July 10, 2025, 11:50:40 AM
My wife likes to watch the local weather report before we sleep, I check it on line, get'er done.  But, dude or dudette stands in front of green screen map and runs through half the temperatures in the area that vary by .... 1-2°F.  Oh, it's 88°F in Griffin, 87°F in Winder, 86°F in Cumming, and up in the mountains, 82°F in Blairsville.  No kidding. 

Folks it's high 80s around the metro area, done.  Tomorrow it may rain and it'll be hot.  Back to you Skip for sports.

"Thanks, Ernie, in sports news, the Braves lost, again, they now have lost 12 of their last 9 games."
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on July 10, 2025, 11:51:51 AM
(https://i.imgur.com/GOUfIfp.png)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on July 10, 2025, 12:32:46 PM
It's really hot here. Feels like 110+. The air is very wet.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on July 10, 2025, 12:40:32 PM
Dew point here is 70°F which is my check point, anything past that is unpleasant.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on July 10, 2025, 12:49:59 PM
74 here. Brutal.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Gigem on July 10, 2025, 01:31:01 PM
(https://i.imgur.com/GOUfIfp.png)
LOL I watched this exact forecast this morning.  Usually there is another weather chick, Chita, that I watch every day.  I have no idea what the weather will be, but I watch.  This weather chick, Kim, is quite nice too.  

Not quite true though, because my business is so weather dependent.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Riffraft on July 10, 2025, 02:04:37 PM
It's really hot here. Feels like 110+. The air is very wet.
Got to admit, I was out at the golf course this morning and the heat actually got to me. I quit after 17 holes. I was surprised, it hasn't happened before, even when it has been over 100.  It is currently over 100 degrees. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on July 10, 2025, 02:05:28 PM
Age catches up.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on July 10, 2025, 03:35:50 PM
Got to admit, I was out at the golf course this morning and the heat actually got to me. I quit after 17 holes. I was surprised, it hasn't happened before, even when it has been over 100.  It is currently over 100 degrees.
>:( were you walking?
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on July 10, 2025, 04:43:15 PM
(https://i.imgur.com/GOUfIfp.png)

Speaking of high temperatures, for my money she's eligible for the hotties thread.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Riffraft on July 10, 2025, 04:44:16 PM
>:( were you walking?
Hell no
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on July 10, 2025, 04:45:19 PM
74 here. Brutal.

Dew point is 75 here right now.  And when I walk outside, sadly, I catch myself thinking "Hey, it's not bad out here today."  

I, for one, could use some climate change.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on July 10, 2025, 04:49:02 PM
Hell no
some days it just hits different
I try to stay hydrated - if I'm not watering the fairway regularly, I drink faster
I felt the heat more than usual one day last weekend on the course - the humidity was brutal, only mid-80s for the temp
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on July 10, 2025, 06:41:09 PM
Speaking of high temperatures, for my money she's eligible for the hotties thread. 
Seems that's par for the course with weather chicks. And the ones in the morning all look like they're dressed for the club too...
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Gigem on July 10, 2025, 08:58:21 PM
Speaking of high temperatures, for my money she's eligible for the hotties thread. 
She’s definitely pretty, but kinda has a horse face.  But I wouldn’t kick her out of bed unless she wanted to do it on the floor. 🤣
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on July 11, 2025, 04:59:04 PM
(https://i.imgur.com/7PMrzGZ.png)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on July 11, 2025, 05:04:40 PM
most men don't
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on July 11, 2025, 05:19:18 PM
(https://i.imgur.com/B3TnCcY.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/JEpkB8B.png)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MrNubbz on July 12, 2025, 08:34:04 AM
(https://i.imgur.com/2q5dZSV.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/PeifjwH.png)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on July 12, 2025, 08:34:56 AM
(https://i.imgur.com/JEpkB8B.png)
How much is your grouper?
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on July 12, 2025, 08:56:00 AM
too much that I don't even ask the price - I can't afford it.  and it's frozen
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on July 12, 2025, 09:47:48 AM
I am really starting to "slow down" in this heat, and in general.  I still try, but the legs and breathing are not "there".  I don't know how some of the old marathoners do it.

I'm working on swimming now, for cardio, mostly, at least I don't sweat as much.  Any time I run I come back drenched, and sore.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on July 12, 2025, 09:49:04 AM
Stay hydrated - even when swimming.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on July 12, 2025, 09:51:07 AM
Yeah, I come back and drink water like crazy.  Today is not quite as hot as last week but we're going to walk around some in a bit.

Then if the pool doesn't get crowded I'll swim some.  On weekdays, there rarely is another person in the pool or even down there sunning which is great.

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on July 13, 2025, 10:21:17 AM
There is a "homestead exemption" around here that reduces one's property taxes, I hope.  So, I finally applied for it.  (I didn't before because it appeared to be income restricted.)  I go on line, they have a form to complete, which I did, and submitted it, by mail.  

A week later I get a letter back that I need to send photos of our DLs and car registration, and apply on line.  I dunno why they didn't ask for this in the first place.  I go on line and start completing the forms.  They want all kinds of information including a copy of my tax returns, which is irrelevant as there is zero mention of any income cap.  I get copies of our DLs and reg and send it in, get an email back they can't read the scans I sent.  I can read them just fine, they claim they can't.  OK, this time I take photos with my phone which I guess make a larger image, send that in, recompleting the form.

Now, I wait, again.  I'm getting run around I think.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on July 13, 2025, 10:34:14 AM
(https://i.imgur.com/7GPm4d8.png)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on July 13, 2025, 10:37:52 AM
There is a "homestead exemption" around here that reduces one's property taxes, I hope.  So, I finally applied for it.  (I didn't before because it appeared to be income restricted.)  I go on line, they have a form to complete, which I did, and submitted it, by mail. 

A week later I get a letter back that I need to send photos of our DLs and car registration, and apply on line.  I dunno why they didn't ask for this in the first place.  I go on line and start completing the forms.  They want all kinds of information including a copy of my tax returns, which is irrelevant as there is zero mention of any income cap.  I get copies of our DLs and reg and send it in, get an email back they can't read the scans I sent.  I can read them just fine, they claim they can't.  OK, this time I take photos with my phone which I guess make a larger image, send that in, recompleting the form.

Now, I wait, again.  I'm getting run around I think.
your government at work
not working
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on July 13, 2025, 10:45:31 AM
Yeah, I guess I'm not surprised, around here.  I was surprised when we went to get our DLs in the first place and it took maybe 15 minutes total.

That was very efficient.

Which reminds me, ours are up for renewal next year I think.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on July 13, 2025, 10:55:24 AM
Homestead exemption is easy here. When we went to get our DL's and license plates at the county tax collector, they asked us if we were residents for at least 6 months and a day and we said yes.

Exemption granted.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on July 13, 2025, 01:19:45 PM
I have the option of going to a county location, but one is downtown and another is 25 miles north of us, so I thought I'd try on line.

I may end up going in person.

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on July 26, 2025, 10:55:33 AM
Took my wife to the surgery center yesterday to have a small lump removed from her breast. 

The initial diagnosis has me grumpy. 

Very grumpy.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on July 26, 2025, 11:57:44 AM
Oh dear.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MrNubbz on July 26, 2025, 12:00:50 PM
Took my wife to the surgery center yesterday to have a small lump removed from her breast.

The initial diagnosis has me grumpy.

Very grumpy.
My mom had a mastectomy back in the '80s and cancer didn't kill her ,so timing and science is on your side - best wishes
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on July 26, 2025, 01:17:31 PM
found out last Sunday at the family reunion, that my youngest aunt had a small lump removed in her breast

she's nearly through with the chemo treatments - radiation following

F cancer
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: bayareabadger on July 26, 2025, 02:13:06 PM
Took my wife to the surgery center yesterday to have a small lump removed from her breast.

The initial diagnosis has me grumpy.

Very grumpy.
Ugh. Hate to read that. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on July 26, 2025, 03:04:07 PM
We're here for you.  Stay strong, break down, whatever you need.  Every single one of us is here with you hoping for the very best possible outcome.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on July 26, 2025, 03:08:51 PM
These posts make me happy.

My wife us is the most upbeat person I know, and she's tough as nails. This ain't gonna beat her.

But yeah, F Cancer.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on July 26, 2025, 03:54:30 PM
I had a crap week, and despite Friday being my birthday, had mostly a crap day. It improved somewhat b/c I got to go out for Chicago tavern pizza with my family, but I still went to bed in a bit of a dour mood, and woke up the same. 

Now it's Saturday and I'm doing work b/c I've got a lot of things to adjust based on said crap week. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Riffraft on July 26, 2025, 06:36:08 PM
Flying from ft Lauderdale to Phoenix via Houston.  Almost to Houston  pilot says storms in Houston and we don't have enough fuel to fly around and come in behind so we are diverting to Austin to get fuel.  Missed our connection and are sitting in Houston  airport for 4 hours.  Very grumpy 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: huskerdinie on July 26, 2025, 07:51:13 PM
There is a "homestead exemption" around here that reduces one's property taxes, I hope.  So, I finally applied for it.  (I didn't before because it appeared to be income restricted.)  I go on line, they have a form to complete, which I did, and submitted it, by mail. 

A week later I get a letter back that I need to send photos of our DLs and car registration, and apply on line.  I dunno why they didn't ask for this in the first place.  I go on line and start completing the forms.  They want all kinds of information including a copy of my tax returns, which is irrelevant as there is zero mention of any income cap.  I get copies of our DLs and reg and send it in, get an email back they can't read the scans I sent.  I can read them just fine, they claim they can't.  OK, this time I take photos with my phone which I guess make a larger image, send that in, recompleting the form.

Now, I wait, again.  I'm getting run around I think.
Wow - I'm glad that I didn't have that much trouble.  Just had to fill out income statements of owners (myself and sister), fill out application and send it all in to the revenue office.  We have been approved every year since we bought our mobile home.  Only had an issue this year, but they called to remind me (said they hadn't received it and I realized I forgot to fill out the income statements and send it) and I just had to resend it all - did that by email and the application was approved that day.  Evidently NE has a pretty easy process or I have just lucked out, lol.  It is well worth it though-not having to pay property taxes makes me very not grumpy
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on July 27, 2025, 07:35:44 AM
I got an email saying our exemption was approved, but no details at all, so I don't have any idea how much if any it may impact my property taxes.  It wasn't that hard really, just minorly annoying to send in what was requested and have more requested and then had to send that in again.  Our exemption is permanent as it's not based on income, just age.  I don't know why they wanted my tax returns except there could be a larger exemption with lower incomes.

I clearly asked for the income irrelevant exemption though.  Anyway, it's done, I guess.  The web site is about what one would expect for government.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on July 27, 2025, 09:56:12 AM
(https://i.imgur.com/1eAlcNr.png)

My wife gets annoyed when folks do this.  Can we include grumpy old women?
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on July 27, 2025, 03:20:04 PM
Clapping in a movie theater?  That's weird.  Or is it a play?
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on July 27, 2025, 04:41:20 PM
Between movements.  Symphonies have movements.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on July 27, 2025, 05:15:31 PM
Yeah people often get that wrong.

But I'm not sure it's anything to be upset about, if someone wants to show their appreciation of a piece at an obvious pause in the music.  But of course more sophisticated listeners understand the difference between the end of a movement, and the end of the complete piece.

At our high school band's concerts, they'll often warn ahead of time if the next piece will have multiple movements, and ask the audience to hold applause until the conductor turns to acknowledge the audience.  To me that's a decent way to go about it, for those who actually care about applause between movements.

Oftentimes for our high school band, recordings are in progress either for competition or evaluation, so they prefer to hold applause until the end.



Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on July 27, 2025, 06:40:45 PM
Between movements.  Symphonies have movements. 
Gotcha.
So do bowels.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on July 27, 2025, 07:06:55 PM

What are your ballet pet peeves? 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on July 28, 2025, 08:17:40 AM
I have no ballet pet peeves other than attending one, which I've never done.  I went to one opera that was about two hours too long.  My wife likes both.

It was a Mozart opera with too many notes.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on July 28, 2025, 09:07:36 AM
We went to an Opera in Italy. One and done. 

No ballet, and never.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on July 28, 2025, 10:41:13 AM
Gotcha.
So do bowels.
And the more old the grumpy old men get, the more they feel like clapping when they complete the latter. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on July 28, 2025, 10:42:21 AM
We went to an Opera in Italy. One and done.

No ballet, and never.
Many operas feature a ballet segment within them.  Are you certain you got away clean?
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on July 28, 2025, 10:43:29 AM
Yes!

(It was in Trieste)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on July 28, 2025, 10:43:45 AM
Years ago (early 2000s) I went to see The Nutcracker ballet. I thought it would be pretty interesting because my school tradition was that every year, the 4th grade class performed a version of The Nutcracker. Thus, I knew the story.

Nope. Pretty sure we left at intermission, and I learned that day that ballet is not for me.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on July 28, 2025, 10:47:28 AM
When we were supposed to visit St. Petersburg, my wife was very anxious to see a ballet (not the one in FL).  I was going to oblige, it was quite pricey.  I could tolerate 3 hours of something I don't really understand usually.  The opera was pretty rough on me though, I got up and walked about the building a few times.  Die Zauberflote.

There are parts with well known music and vast tracts with ... boring stuff.

Anyway, I was spared the ballet, and having never been to one I admit to be very slightly curious, but we've all seen segments on TV.  After a minute or so, I don't get it.

I have noted that symphonies often play, um, weird compositions, often something modern, with the composer present.  I have heard one that was "OK", the rest are discordant nonsense, to me, that sound like the symphony when they are tuning.

I'd prefer they stuck with the classics, which are classics for good reason.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on July 28, 2025, 10:51:10 AM
I'd prefer they stuck with the classics, which are classics for good reason.
Yes, we do all pine for the music of our youth :57:
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on July 28, 2025, 10:58:45 AM
I've been to several ballet and multiple operas.  I enjoy them but can certainly understand those who don't.



Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on July 30, 2025, 08:22:21 AM
A/C went out for the downstairs.  Gonna be around $11,000 to replace it.

That has got me pretty grumpy today.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on July 30, 2025, 09:02:40 AM
Boy Howdy!  I thought $1100 was bad for a fan motor
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MrNubbz on July 30, 2025, 09:05:58 AM
I've been to several ballet and multiple operas.  I enjoy them but can certainly understand those who don't.
Rocky Horror Picture Show count?
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MrNubbz on July 30, 2025, 09:07:11 AM
And the more old the grumpy old men get, the more they feel like clapping when they complete the latter.
You saying you got the Clap?
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on July 30, 2025, 09:08:33 AM
A/C went out for the downstairs.  Gonna be around $11,000 to replace it.

That has got me pretty grumpy today.
They ain't cheap.

$8,000 for my 1,800-sf house.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MrNubbz on July 30, 2025, 09:10:17 AM
Guess I'll hang onto my AC/Heat Pump a few more yrs
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on July 30, 2025, 09:12:56 AM
I replaced my outdoor unit - AC/Heat pump a few years ago - don't remember but it was around $5K
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Riffraft on July 30, 2025, 11:56:13 AM
No beer for 30 days, just going to get grumpier
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: SFBadger96 on July 30, 2025, 12:02:39 PM
I've been to a lot of ballets in my life. The Nutcracker's first act was always more fun for me than the second (the first act has the fighting with the Rat King, the Second is the travel through candyland, or whatever). It and Swan Lake are classics for a reason, but also kind of pop ballet--like a blockbuster movie. I've been impressed with the athleticism and the beauty of the dancing, but it can also get pretty boring. I'm also lucky that I've been mostly to the SF Ballet, which has an excellent reputation.

Opera is something I've never been able to appreciate. I get the concept, but it just doesn't work for me. Kind of like jazz for a lot of people.

Different art forms hit people differently--that's the beauty of art: it should stimulate your mind, but different things stimulate different people. Nothing wrong with that.

One saying I like: great art comforts the disturbed and disturbs the comfortable. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on July 30, 2025, 12:36:01 PM
apparently, I'm pretty comfortable
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on July 30, 2025, 12:38:02 PM
One saying I like: great art comforts the disturbed and disturbs the comfortable.
Heh.  I often see "art" in some museum I don't consider to be art at all.  It's rarely disturbing, it's just ... pointless to me, and I'm not talking about pointilism.

I liked the Boston museum of fine arts.  The High Museum here is just "OK", we're members, but rarely go.  My step son's GF is an art seller of some sort, I think it's all on line, she's showed me some neat things she's offering that I like.  He's the one living in SF and doing well apparently.  She's from HK.  She lives in San Jose.  

My wife and I enjoy Solano Beach near SD, they have some pretty neat artsy fartsy shops along the main drag.

There are art shows in the park several times a year here, the vendors are curated and some of them are really nice, some have stuff I wouldn't buy but are interesting, some looks like junk, but they'll have 300+ booths.  We got to be friends with a jewerly maker who attends most of them.  Some is pottery, sculpture, paintings, the gamut, a lot of fun, usually in spring or fall when the weather is first rate.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on July 30, 2025, 12:40:44 PM
I replaced my outdoor unit - AC/Heat pump a few years ago - don't remember but it was around $5K
I got a quote on ours from Costco, it was obscenely high, for a Trane.  A neighbor suggested I call this dude who showed up and said he could install a Bosch for I think around $7 K and did.  He said it would last me forever.  The other unit is a Carrier and he said that would probably last me "forever", after taking in my white hair.

These are unusual heat pumps, water sourced.  I think high rises usually have them.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on July 30, 2025, 12:43:26 PM
No beer for 30 days, just going to get grumpier
has always made me grumpy, I've tried it a few times
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: SFBadger96 on July 30, 2025, 01:14:32 PM
There's plenty of art that I see that doesn't mean anything to me, including plenty of classics. Nothing wrong with that. I'm generally good for about an hour--sometimes two--in a museum. Get bored. It also depends on the moment. Sometimes I'm open to seeing things in the works, sometimes I'm not.

There's a reason it's hard to make a living as a fine artist.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on July 30, 2025, 01:21:08 PM
My favorite museum is Musee' d'Orsay in Paris.  It's very well laid out, not crowded, the lighting is terrific, and the building itself is a work of art.  I can do two hours there.

We visited a tiny museum of Millet in Barbizon that was interesting to me because so much of his work was copied later by van Gogh and is now famous.  I'm a quasi-van Gogh fan.  

Millet Studio Museum - Fontainebleau Tourisme (https://www.fontainebleau-tourisme.com/en/file/689285/millet-studio-museum/)

(https://i.imgur.com/HMwwQ66.png)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on July 30, 2025, 01:35:06 PM
my daughters like that stuff - I can pretend to be entertained for about an hour
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on July 30, 2025, 01:38:49 PM
Best museum I've ever seen was the Vatican.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: jgvol on July 30, 2025, 01:39:53 PM
Art is something I didn't think, or care, about at all as a young man.  

As I've grown older --- I get it, and appreciate it (mostly).  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on July 30, 2025, 01:40:35 PM
there's hope for me - I'm getting older
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: jgvol on July 30, 2025, 01:41:41 PM
there's hope for me - I'm getting older

Some consider Vettes works of art.

Aren't you the corvette guy?  :)


Corvette season is upon us.


(https://i.imgur.com/1UoOoN6.png)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on July 30, 2025, 01:44:23 PM
Art is something I didn't think, or care, about at all as a young man. 

As I've grown older --- I get it, and appreciate it (mostly). 
I wanted to be an architect, so I was into arts and such from some coursework that I took.

Rennaissance art was and still is my favorite.

I switched to civil engineering once I learned that it takes like 12 years to make any money as an architect. That made me grumpy, and kinda still does. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on July 30, 2025, 01:49:27 PM
Some consider Vettes works of art.

Aren't you the corvette guy?  :)


Corvette season is upon us.


(https://i.imgur.com/1UoOoN6.png)
yes but first a car guy.
I do find some vehicles to be very appeasing to the eye
similar to some ladies

and then for something completely different........ a well orchestrated triple-option play is a work of art in my opinion 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on July 30, 2025, 01:49:51 PM
Best museum I've ever seen was the Vatican.
How many paintings of "Madonna and Child" does it take for you before it becomes boring? 

I think after the first several hundred thousand I walked past, I was kinda over it. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on July 30, 2025, 01:58:04 PM
How many paintings of "Madonna and Child" does it take for you before it becomes boring?

I think after the first several hundred thousand I walked past, I was kinda over it.

We had a great Docent who really knew where to find stuff and what to show - and explain it. It was just me, my wife, and her.

$$$$
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: SFBadger96 on July 30, 2025, 02:22:21 PM
Similarly had a really good guided experience at the Vatican. Impressive collection of art, and interesting history, besides.

I "get" Van Gogh, I think. I tend to trend darker in what speaks to me. I found Guernica powerful. Part of that is understanding what Picasso was reflecting on--the history matters to me. Most Picasso doesn't interest me. A lot of impressionism is "pretty," but not very interesting.

Good marble statues impress me. The craftsmanship of making stone look supple is impressive. 

Some "modern" art is really cool; a lot of it is completely meaningless. What makes one vs. the other is probably impossible to describe.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on July 30, 2025, 02:26:12 PM
BTW I'm joking about the Vatican. It's impressive. 

It's just the running joke my wife and I have about being there. "Oh look, another Madonna and child!"

Kinda like European Vacation: "look kids, Parliament/Big Ben"...

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on July 30, 2025, 02:32:32 PM
A few years later we had the same Docent company give us the Colosseum and Palatine Hill tour.

Again, just 3 of us, for two days. That was awesome.

I really appreciated those places as an engineer.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on July 30, 2025, 02:50:14 PM
We lucked into an excellent guide through the Vatican, it was a group tour, but well done.  We're staying next door this time out so I'll try another tour for the wife.

Who is this Madonna person?  I didn't know she was around back then.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on July 30, 2025, 02:53:11 PM
We didn't tour the catacombs, as we didn't even realize it was an option. But then when we heard about it, my wife said that if we ever go back, we want to add that in.

https://www.basilicasanpietro.va/en/products/the-necropolis
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on July 30, 2025, 03:14:27 PM
this person makes me grumpy

(https://i.imgur.com/S95mP0W.jpeg)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Riffraft on July 30, 2025, 04:32:08 PM
Loved the Vatican, louvre, British.  Orsay was nice.  Could have spent more hours in those 3.  Favorite is the British museum mainly because of the Rosetta stone which is my holy grail.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: SFBadger96 on July 30, 2025, 05:06:15 PM
this person makes me grumpy

(https://i.imgur.com/S95mP0W.jpeg)
Talk about someone who has had a ton of work done and now really shows it in all the worst ways.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on August 04, 2025, 10:55:11 AM
This is my wife's beef, and I hear about it over and over.  A street near us that we use often is being ... rehabbed.  It's normally a one way street with four lanes.  Now it's going to be a two lane street with these dividers in one lane and a bike lane in the other.  It's still under construction, but my wife thinks traffic will be a mess.

I think it will be mostly OK except when delivery trucks block one lane.  And they are starting on the other major one way street now that runs parallel to this one, same deal.

(https://i.imgur.com/U7eQAgg.png)

Juniper Complete Street Project | Midtown Atlanta (https://www.midtownatl.com/project/juniper-street-transformation-project)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on August 04, 2025, 11:31:44 AM
I see bike lanes as usually under used - maybe their are more folks riding bikes in Atlanta
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on August 04, 2025, 11:33:01 AM
The main thing folks ride here are these small electric scooters.  Bikes are pretty rare.  The city has this vision all this will encourage more bikes.

I doubt it.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on August 04, 2025, 11:38:45 AM
great, encourage bike riding that probably won't happen, by taking away a lane of traffic that is being used and will probably continue to be even more important going forward

I'm not a fan of bicyclists on roads built for traffic.
if bicyclists want a place to ride, fund their own project
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on August 04, 2025, 11:40:01 AM
City put in bike lanes all over Austin.  Almost entirely unused but hey, it did succeed in turning many 4 lane roads into 2 lane roads and making traffic much worse.

Victory!
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on August 04, 2025, 11:55:09 AM
Government causing problems so they can solve problems and cause more problems to solve later.

Rinse.

Repeat.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on August 04, 2025, 12:13:47 PM
traffic issues................

at the stop light, 2 lanes of traffic going straight (10 to 20 vehicles) waiting while one vehicle in the left turn lanes goes first.

I appreciate the flashing yellow signal in the left turn lane....  wait until the 20 vehicles go thru and then make your left turn

maybe a reason for more "round abouts"  -  the round abouts don't make me grumpy
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on August 04, 2025, 12:16:34 PM
Not possible in a major city without buying buildings.

So, not possible.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on August 04, 2025, 12:45:20 PM
(https://i.imgur.com/lhysaFy.png)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on August 04, 2025, 12:51:18 PM
There might be one or two intersections near me where there is room for traffic circles, especially if some parkland is used.  One problem is how many drivers here already struggle with the few we have already.

Meanwhile, we are getting more bike lanes.  The construction now is going to be right outside my office soon.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: bayareabadger on August 04, 2025, 01:21:49 PM
traffic issues................

at the stop light, 2 lanes of traffic going straight (10 to 20 vehicles) waiting while one vehicle in the left turn lanes goes first.

I appreciate the flashing yellow signal in the left turn lane....  wait until the 20 vehicles go thru and then make your left turn

maybe a reason for more "round abouts"  -  the round abouts don't make me grumpy
Roundabouts also generally slow down traffic.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on August 04, 2025, 01:23:10 PM
I've not had an issue at a round about nor have I witnessed anyone else have an issue

folks get better with them with more experience - as with most things
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on August 04, 2025, 01:24:15 PM
Roundabouts also generally slow down traffic.
yup, great for intersections that were previously a 2-way or 4-way stop sign
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: bayareabadger on August 04, 2025, 01:25:06 PM
City put in bike lanes all over Austin.  Almost entirely unused but hey, it did succeed in turning many 4 lane roads into 2 lane roads and making traffic much worse.

Victory!

The city I live in try to do dedicated bus lanes for a few years. As far as I can tell, the bus service was still very poor.

they also built a cluster bike lanes, including one that is very funny because it was wide enough that people just kept using it as a right turn lane, and they had to put up those flimsy little reflective, white poles to get people to stop driving there. (Weirdly the biggest traffic issue there is the stoplight timing)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on August 04, 2025, 01:26:58 PM
poor and/or pitiful stoplight timing makes me grumpy

there is a major boulevard in Sioux City that I avoid for that reason.  Unfortunately, it's been that way since the 80s, probably before
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: SFBadger96 on August 04, 2025, 01:29:17 PM
Roundabouts are intended to be chaotic; it is a feature, not a bug. Chaos makes people pay attention, which leads to fewer wrecks. Signaled intersections (stop lights, stop signs) are one of the biggest areas for wrecks because people assume how everyone will act. Roundabouts don't have that problem.

Roundabouts also generally have better throughput than signaled intersections. Drivers think everything gets "slowed down" because they have to slow down earlier than at signaled stops and there is less certainty about when they will get through, but the reduced stoppage time often leads to better throughput, which means higher average speeds. Often, not always.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on August 04, 2025, 01:32:57 PM
Roundabouts are intended to be chaotic; it is a feature, not a bug. Chaos makes people pay attention, which leads to fewer wrecks. Signaled intersections (stop lights, stop signs) are one of the biggest areas for wrecks because people assume how everyone will act. Roundabouts don't have that problem.

Roundabouts also generally have better throughput than signaled intersections. Drivers think everything gets "slowed down" because they have to slow down earlier than at signaled stops and there is less certainty about when they will get through, but the reduced stoppage time often leads to better throughput, which means higher average speeds. Often, not always.
Yup, fewer wrecks and higher throughput on average.

I still don't like 'em but we don't have a lot of them around here anyway.

They're quite common in Europe.


(https://i.imgur.com/iqe9fGV.png)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on August 04, 2025, 01:33:45 PM
They installed a round about near us, a route I often go.  It was a three way intersection, so it should work pretty well, but at least half the time some car stops dead even if zero traffic is coming the other way.  They aren't common enough for visitors to realize how they operate, and no doubt some locals unfamiliar with the area.  I've also had cars in the round about who stop even though they have right of way over me, and I'm already clearly stopping.  

It is better than the old traffic signal there.  It's a very small RAB that didn't take up much extra room.  Just past that is a weird intersection that is ancient, it has an exit ramp and entrance ramp to an ancient freeway that has room for an RAB, maybe.

That freeway is from 1954, some of its concrete is still present.  They built a parallel new freeway and left the old one intact for a few miles.

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on August 04, 2025, 01:35:16 PM
I got "stuck" on that Etoile once, I had migrated to the inside and my wife was saying to take the fourth exit and I couldn't count exits and dodge cars.  I went around a few times.  The trick is to put on your turn signal and just GO.  I still took the fifth exit.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on August 04, 2025, 01:35:19 PM
yeah, I'm not sure about those in Europe where you have 4-6 lanes going each direction
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on August 04, 2025, 01:58:38 PM
Yeah, one of the very first things I had to navigate leaving the airport with my rental car in Ireland was a roundabout... Driving on the right side of the car, driving on the left side of the road, shifting a manual with my left hand. That was... Interesting!

They had a lot of roundabouts there when you were out a bit in the country, i.e. between Galway and Killarney. Not many in the middle of downtown Dublin though. 

I suppose that I'd have to agree with Badge that you run into density problems when you're putting in roundabouts. A signaled intersection is more compact.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on August 04, 2025, 02:10:11 PM
(https://i.imgur.com/rbiKQE3.png)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on August 04, 2025, 02:47:57 PM
I've been working on finally rehabilitating the backyard and growing grass. It's making some progress. 

So I go out this morning and turn the spigot on the hose feeding the sprinkler. Felt... "Weird". Like something was stuck and then released. Okay then...

...and I go out a while later to turn it off, and it won't turn off. Something inside the valve has broken. I can turn it FAIRLY low, but not off. 

So until the damn property management company can get a plumber out here, I've just shut the house inlet valve. Which means I'm not leaking water into the backyard--but I have no water service at all. 

I realize I can turn it back on temporarily--and will as needed. But that's annoying, and now I'm grumpy. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on August 04, 2025, 03:02:38 PM
Get a valve or cap at the hardware store and turn it off.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on August 04, 2025, 03:04:58 PM
That's grump worthy for sure.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on August 04, 2025, 03:09:45 PM
Get a valve or cap at the hardware store and turn it off.
Hell, I could just replace the sprinkler that's on the head of the hose with my normal sprayer and turn it off. 

It would still be leaking out of the actual spigot valve though, whereas having the house water turned off entirely means nothing's wasted anywhere. 

The property manager got back to me and I should hear from the plumber shortly. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on August 04, 2025, 03:10:57 PM
(https://i.imgur.com/l3yN8b9.png)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on August 04, 2025, 03:17:43 PM
Leaking here...

So installing that won't stop the leak. 

The valve needs to be replaced. And I'm not about to start messing with 50 year old pipes in a house I don't own...
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on August 04, 2025, 03:25:58 PM
Grumpy.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on August 04, 2025, 03:27:08 PM
I suppose water is expensive there
That would make me grumpy
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on August 04, 2025, 06:30:39 PM
All fixed.

It's totally SoCal when your plumber shows up in flip flops, right? :57:
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on August 05, 2025, 06:26:27 AM
No different than here...
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MrNubbz on August 05, 2025, 07:43:07 AM
The valve needs to be replaced. And I'm not about to start messing with 50 year old pipes in a house I don't own...
Prolly late '60s
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on August 05, 2025, 07:49:00 AM
I recall my house in Cincy had "frostproof valves" that weren't completely frostproof.  I had one burst after 15 years or so, there was a dedicated cutoff on the supply line at least.  I had a plumber repair it, and he said I should replace the one in the back yard as well so I did.  It seemed pricey at the time.

This basically reminds me of all the times I had to repair or replace or call someone to do it when I had a house, roof, various leaks, problems with the drainage pipes, HVAC, patio, hardwood floors, irrigation system,  carpet (replaced just before I sold it)........  Add it all up and I probably didn't make any money after the sale at all.

Give me a condo.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: NorthernOhioBuckeye on August 05, 2025, 08:02:12 AM
I had to replace 2 of those frost free outdoor valves this year. And they are getting pricy. I think I paid about $50 for each. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on August 05, 2025, 08:35:42 AM
No different than here...
or in Austin
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on August 05, 2025, 08:37:16 AM
This basically reminds me of all the times I had to repair or replace or call someone to do it when I had a house, roof, various leaks, problems with the drainage pipes, HVAC, patio, hardwood floors, irrigation system,  carpet (replaced just before I sold it)........  Add it all up and I probably didn't make any money after the sale at all.

Give me a condo.
just find an evil landlord and pay the Man!
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on August 05, 2025, 08:38:43 AM
I am an evil landlord.  It's gonna put my kids through college.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on August 05, 2025, 08:40:48 AM
got the 1st semester paid for after the savings on the Mustang
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on August 05, 2025, 08:42:02 AM
got the 1st semester paid for after the savings on the Mustang
I thought so.  Then both A/C units went out at our primary residence last week.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MrNubbz on August 05, 2025, 10:35:49 AM
I had to replace 2 of those frost free outdoor valves this year. And they are getting pricy. I think I paid about $50 for each.
IMHO better off just sweating in new 1/4 turn shut offs on the inside walls. Then you can use penetrating oil and remove old sillcocks - the hose bibb/spigot that you’ll find coming out of your house.

I have 3 of these outside
(https://i.imgur.com/tikn3sm.png)

Just remove,clean and rebuild it. Usually nothing more than packing nut with stem packing materiel (teflon or graphite),a rubber valve seat washer, maybe some o-rings/friction rings/metal washer depending on the Mnfg. Easy job.There are also completely sealed units tha can be threaded on -  that are shyt IMO.What I don't like about the one frost free outdoor sillcock is it's like 8 full turns from on to off. So I just put one of these 1/4 turns on that 847 posted about - like 14 yrs ago.

(https://i.imgur.com/q2BxXKP.png)

The units I purchased are heavier duty than this which will save you wear/tear opening/closing that long stemmed beast.The sillcock I had bought had a lifetime guarentee. I called and told them all I need are some rebuild parts they don't have to send me the whole assembly. But no they sent me the whole new package - twice
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on August 05, 2025, 10:48:31 AM
That was a cheap temporary solution before I knew where the leak from coming from.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MrNubbz on August 05, 2025, 10:51:41 AM
that's fine they are great to put onto the Frost Free units N.O.B.was referring to - to save time and maintenance
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Gigem on August 05, 2025, 10:55:35 AM
I thought so.  Then both A/C units went out at our primary residence last week.
Jesus. Having to name a primary residence implies you have another residence. Rich bastages !

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Gigem on August 05, 2025, 10:57:15 AM
That valve repair looks ridiculously simple. Backup on the pipe, unscrew the valve. Literally a 5 minute job. 

Unless it’s sweated on copper. Little trickier but easily fixable. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on August 05, 2025, 10:58:57 AM
Jesus. Having to name a primary residence implies you have another residence. Rich bastages !


Hah, not exactly how I meant it.  I meant, our residence, versus one of our rental properties.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on August 05, 2025, 10:59:59 AM
You do have another residence. It moves around.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on August 05, 2025, 11:01:30 AM
You do have another residence. It moves around.
Ha, there's that one, too.  If the A/C goes out on it, though, it's only like $800, rather than... well, the cost of a year of college.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on August 05, 2025, 02:17:18 PM
Our place in the mountains doesn't have AC at all, but the place in Hawaii does.  I have not visited our place in France or Italy.

Hard to keep up with it all.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: bayareabadger on August 05, 2025, 04:25:55 PM
Hah, not exactly how I meant it.  I meant, our residence, versus one of our rental properties.
I think the shoe still fits :)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Gigem on August 05, 2025, 07:44:11 PM
Hah, not exactly how I meant it.  I meant, our residence, versus one of our rental properties.
lol, I understand. We have some rental property our self. The last one we bought, I installed the HVAC myself with the help of a friend. Literally crawled around in the attic for hours. Learned a lot. Won’t be doing that again. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on August 05, 2025, 08:05:45 PM
you learned a lesson
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Gigem on August 05, 2025, 09:54:33 PM
you learned a lesson
Well, to be honest I wouldn't call it lerning a lesson.  I was in my 30s at that time, and now I'm knocking on 50.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on August 06, 2025, 06:30:10 AM
I wish I was knocking on 50.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MrNubbz on August 06, 2025, 08:34:58 AM
I wish I was knock.........nevermind
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on August 06, 2025, 08:37:04 AM
The rain appears to have moved out, still cloudy here, but maybe I can go into the park and throw some.  I can't recall this much rain in August aside from having a residual hurricane move through.  Speaking of hurricanes, the board still looks fairly calm, a bit of development.  

I'm grumpy so don't say this is weather thread material.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on August 06, 2025, 02:43:33 PM
The pool is "suck it up" temperature today, after having been bath water T for weeks.

I made a few laps.  My watch says 78°F.  Some sun out today.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on August 09, 2025, 12:35:24 PM
What is it about being a dad that gives you just a visceral disgust at seeing your teenaged children sleeping in on the weekends?

I mean, it's not like I want them milling around... But still... 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on August 09, 2025, 03:41:45 PM
Yeah, I used to have a bullhorn for that.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on August 09, 2025, 06:16:21 PM
Not wealthy.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on August 10, 2025, 07:47:21 AM
They will be. The bullhorn worked.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on August 10, 2025, 08:12:37 AM
my father didn't need one

it worked
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on August 10, 2025, 08:25:50 AM
I'm a stepdad.

I needed one.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on August 10, 2025, 08:33:21 AM
I go into their darkened rooms and yell LIGHTS LIGHTS LIGHTS!!!!
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: SFBadger96 on August 11, 2025, 12:31:02 PM
I'm grumpy that after early wake-ups for about 9 years driven in one way or another by the service, then early wake-ups by kids for all of their littlest years, I just don't sleep late anymore, whether I want to or not. I'm jealous of my kids' ability to do it. Wish I still could.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: bayareabadger on August 11, 2025, 12:36:08 PM
What is it about being a dad that gives you just a visceral disgust at seeing your teenaged children sleeping in on the weekends?

I mean, it's not like I want them milling around... But still...
I visited family this week. I still got that energy from my dad, and I am well into adulthood. (i’m not even sleeping in, but sometimes the room I stay in looks like I might be.)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on August 11, 2025, 01:05:46 PM
I'm grumpy that after early wake-ups for about 9 years driven in one way or another by the service, then early wake-ups by kids for all of their littlest years, I just don't sleep late anymore, whether I want to or not. I'm jealous of my kids' ability to do it. Wish I still could.
I've never slept in. Even in college, I'd wake up early and suffer through my hangover because my body just wouldn't stay asleep. 

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on August 11, 2025, 01:07:56 PM
I hated getting up when I was working.  I'd get up around 7 AM and leave the house at 7:30 if I wanted to beat traffic mostly.

Now I routinely wake up at 6 or 6:30 and am wide awake raring to go.  Sort of raring.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on August 11, 2025, 11:59:05 PM
life sucks and then you die
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MrNubbz on August 12, 2025, 12:05:58 AM
Sorry pal not with another season of CFB on Deck I'm not!!!
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Riffraft on August 12, 2025, 10:11:39 AM
life sucks and then you die
I use to say to my kids "life's tough and then you die"   one time in a group of people just talking i said life's tough and my 8yo son pipes in and then you die right daddy then you die.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Honestbuckeye on August 12, 2025, 10:59:03 AM
I use to say to my kids "life's tough and then you die"  one time in a group of people just talking i said life's tough and my 8yo son pipes in and then you die right daddy then you die.
😂😂😂
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on August 12, 2025, 11:51:00 AM
My most common comment to my kids is/was "The hardest person to be in life is yourself."  They throw that back at me often.  They say it made zero sense when they were 11.

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Gigem on August 12, 2025, 04:43:44 PM
Welp looks like the corporate Big Brother has banned Google Chrome from our computers. That makes me grumpy. I don’t even know my passwords etc to any site. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on August 12, 2025, 07:02:53 PM
You know that sale I was talking about at Costco, and how I ordered my wife a new Apple Watch? 

Yeah, they sent an email saying that my order was canceled as the watch was out of stock. 

With nothing about "when back in stock you can re-order for the same sale price" or anything like that. 

Grumpy. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: bayareabadger on August 12, 2025, 09:02:36 PM
This god damn plane, taking 34 god damn minutes to get from landing to the gate. And we still have to deplane. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MrNubbz on August 12, 2025, 09:05:58 PM
This god damn plane, taking 34 god damn minutes to get from landing to the gate. And we still have to deplane.
Anybody named Cooper on Board?
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on August 12, 2025, 10:07:13 PM
I get grumpy just thinkin bout flying
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Gigem on August 14, 2025, 09:00:38 PM
https://twitter.com/mens_corner__/status/1956113776039616628?s=61
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on August 14, 2025, 10:31:29 PM
This god damn plane, taking 34 god damn minutes to get from landing to the gate. And we still have to deplane.
What is it - Dallas/FTW airport is bigger than Manhattan?  Sheesh.  I landed on a little plane in Charlotte and it must have been an outer, small runway.  I thought we were going to run out of gas getting to the gate.  Took the scenic route.  

Okay, we landed.  Let me out on the tarmac.  Now.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on August 15, 2025, 08:37:54 AM
Longest taxiing I've experienced was in Paris (CDG).  They apparently land Delta planes on some far distant runway.  We usually have Delta going and Air France coming home.  You better pee before you get near final approach.

Then we changed planes in Dubai and got on a bus, after waiting 15 minutes, longest bus ride I've ever had at any airport.  The passengers were all laughing, most of us were headed to Amsterdam  then home, it was silly.

Folks complain about ATL because that's what folks do, but it's well laid out for connections.

I once flew back from London to NYC en route to Cincy, with a short connection, and the plane sat on the tarmac for an hour claiming the gate was full, that one gate, this was about 9 PM.  I missed my connection by over an hour, had to pay for a room, they claimed the delay was due to ... weather.  

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on August 15, 2025, 09:28:35 AM
ORD has some long taci times depending on which of the 8 runways are used.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on August 20, 2025, 09:44:38 AM
@Drew4UTk (https://www.cfb51.com/index.php?action=profile;u=1) 

I invited a few guys to the board
KSBears is trying to join us.

he tells me this ........
It says registration is disabled. Is there an invite that can be sent?
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: SFBadger96 on August 21, 2025, 12:31:30 PM
I've been known to use some salty language. I don't generally judge it, but one of my kids swears more than I'd like. I've pointed it out on more than one occasion. My grandfather used to say that swearing was the result of laziness; not taking the time to find the right word. Maybe, but sometimes a well-placed expletive is exactly the right word. That being said, I've also caught myself plenty of times, having just sworn, thinking that it sounded awfully crass and out of place. Pointless. Lazy.

We've all heard the phrase "swears like a sailor," but my experience led me to question that saying, at least a little.

At the very end of my Army life, I participated in a joint exercise on a Navy ship. For about a week I sailed the Atlantic, slept in a little coffin, and ate in the officers' mess. Naval officers eat off of China (at least on a ship), and they have an "etiquette" officer, a junior officer, who enforces the rules--the proper manners--of the mess. For the ground pounders on that joint exercise, used to going to the field and eating out of a thick plastic bag with a brown plastic spoon, we were bemused. I pointed out that etiquette in the Army was figuring out whether your commander liked it, or didn't like it when you swore. This Navy Lieutenant JG laughed and said that with all of these guests aboard, he had to relax the rules a little. Most of my commanders liked a well-placed F-bomb, though some pretended to be a little more demure. 

Which leads me to my grumpy old man thought of the moment: spoken language is different than written language. In written language swearing is rarely appropriate. Not never, but rarely. I find that in writing it is better at conveying levity than seriousness--often the opposite of its usage in spoken language. And I find that expletives on this board are more often than not crass and pointless, not effective or well-aimed. Some might even say lazy.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on August 21, 2025, 12:40:15 PM
Interesting comments.  I was musing about the Navy ships that have Marines on board.  The enlisted must eat together, maybe the self segregate, dunno.  On the other hand, Marines think highly of their Navy Corpsmen, so maybe they pretty much get along.  The assault ships may carry more Marines than sailors.  Every ship used to have some Marines on board to "guard the Captain" but that was dropped a while back.

I had sent some dried Asian meals to my son in Iraq and he told me they were highly prized because everything else was so tasteless/bland.  They apparently got some kind of field kitchen after a few months that was apparently better.  They did spend four days in the desert once watching some town with no action eating MREs and nothing else.  He did not care for that.

I digress.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on August 21, 2025, 12:46:56 PM
I don't swear a ton, if I do it's probably for emphasis.  I guess I agree on written swearing versus spoken, but I also view message board interactions in exactly the same way I view spoken conversations.

In general I don't worry about what others might think of me if I swear.  I'm confident in my own intellect and capabilities, if someone wants to think less of me when I swear, that's really their issue and not mine.

Now, being mean or cruel or heartless or denigrating or overly antagonistic, in real conversation or message board interactions-- those are traits that absolutely do make me think less of a person.

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: SFBadger96 on August 21, 2025, 12:54:27 PM
Field kitchens were a God send whenever we had them. Often we would get them for one meal, or one day, per week in the field. The higher up one got in admin, the more access to field kitchens. When I was on battalion staff in the field, we had a field kitchen nearby quite often. Not surprising--they were in the rear with the gear (our Battalion HQ was co-located with Division HQ). But my time in the field was all "exercise"--different in nearly every way than what took place in Iraq.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on August 21, 2025, 12:56:39 PM
I almost never use profanity.  Oddly enough, my wife will fairly often, and then say "Pardon" instantly thereafter, and it's always in French.

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on August 21, 2025, 01:13:39 PM
Ah, so your wife is the actual inventor of the phrase, "pardon my French."


Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on August 21, 2025, 06:54:34 PM
my father taught me to consider who was within earshot when swearing

in other words, not around women and children, but also not around anyone that found it offensive

unless of course you were trying to offend someone
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on August 21, 2025, 07:47:59 PM
https://edition.cnn.com/2021/01/26/health/swearing-benefits-wellness
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on August 21, 2025, 07:58:17 PM
I've heard about that research

not sure that there are benefits while typing
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on August 28, 2025, 09:27:38 AM
Bitdefender doesn't like the unsecured wifi at the crap hotel this morning so no access with the laptop 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on August 28, 2025, 09:55:43 AM
Tonight is the start of Week 1 of CFB. 

So *of course* it's $^!*#&% back to school night at my daughter's middle school :96:
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Riffraft on August 28, 2025, 12:53:00 PM
My wife scheduled our flight to NYC on Saturday during the Tx-OSU game 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on August 28, 2025, 12:57:41 PM
That's grounds for dismissal.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on August 28, 2025, 01:01:59 PM
I don't ever let my i s c & a aggie wife schedule the travel plans.  She can pick the items of interest at the destination, but if I don't make the actual travel plans, something always ends up wonky.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on August 28, 2025, 01:08:45 PM
My wife scheduled a trip to Cincinnati tomorrow.  I grumbled.  Better to go than cause a ruckus.  Some birthday gig.  

I did talk her into a trip to Blue Ash Chili, she had scheduled lunch at Maggiano's interestingly enough.  She really likes her priest, who is now retired, and we try to meet up for lunch when we're there.  I like him a lot also.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MrNubbz on August 28, 2025, 01:25:39 PM
My wife scheduled our flight to NYC on Saturday during the Tx-OSU game
That was no accident,next thing she'll have you lined up for a fall wedding when the Dawgs are playing in the SEC C.C.G.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MrNubbz on August 28, 2025, 01:29:10 PM
My wife scheduled a trip to Cincinnati tomorrow.  
Grab yourself some Christian Moerlein while you're there,you might have been acquainted from your previous stint
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on August 28, 2025, 01:51:39 PM
I don't ever let my i s c & a aggie wife schedule the travel plans.  She can pick the items of interest at the destination, but if I don't make the actual travel plans, something always ends up wonky.
My wife was always the one in her past life that had to make and be in charge of travel plans. 

I've always been the same. 

That was a responsibility she was quite happy to cede to me when we met. She's more than capable, but she knows I am as well and that she'd rather not...


(https://i.imgur.com/l1DGugw.png)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on August 28, 2025, 01:54:49 PM
Yeah we had the one "incident" where she planned our honeymoon because I was working and she had finished grad school and had a job lined up but at the moment had plenty of time.  She took care of everything, and I just let her do it, and let her tell me the exact plan.

So when it was time to go, she told me to pack up, and we got all our stuff together, and then we arrived at the airport... exactly one day early.

Which, as she pointed out, was better than one day late...

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Gigem on September 02, 2025, 09:50:18 AM
Not sure where to post this, but Grumpy Old Man Thread is probably as good as any.  

College Gameday.....Lee Corso.  I mean, we all love Lee Corso, but the whole "last game day " deal got old quick.  I mean, the dude is like 90 years old and should have retired years ago.  I have to think the ratings are not that great, that show got stale a long time ago.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on September 02, 2025, 10:07:28 AM
I didn't bother to watch it

I was never a Corso fan
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on September 02, 2025, 10:09:48 AM
Well, with the Corso love fest, they finally had enough material to fill three hours for once. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on September 02, 2025, 10:26:22 AM
Well, with the Corso love fest, they finally had enough material to fill three hours for once.

Ha!  That was exactly my thought!

It's been probably two decades since I watched the show as anything other than having background noise on, but I actually watched most of this one, and enjoyed it. 

But I also think it's time for Corso to move on and am glad he was able to go out while still being (mostly) cognizant and coherent.

I agree with Gigem, probably should have happened many years ago.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on September 02, 2025, 10:31:37 AM
15-20 years too late.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Gigem on September 02, 2025, 10:45:43 AM
That and Kirk Herbstreits' dog.  What is the deal with that?  I don't even remember that being much of a deal, and then a year or two ago they started hyping this dog...then the dog dies, then they get another...and every week they have to showcase the dog as if it's something special.  

Does anybody remember Kirks dog being a big deal 3-4 years ago?  I almost think they decided to play it up since they knew the dog was near the end of life and it would make great TV.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on September 02, 2025, 10:52:50 AM
I quit watching long before dogs were involved
glad I did
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on September 02, 2025, 11:16:11 AM
I have the Fox and/or B1G channel on for pregame background noise.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on September 02, 2025, 11:28:17 AM
yup, depending on location
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on September 02, 2025, 12:49:24 PM
May as well put this here.

This package was dropped off at the local post office. From there, it went to Miami, then Tampa, and finally to its destination in Englewood. This package travelled 520 miles, for a 27 mile trip from Punta Gorda to Englewood.

Any questions on Post Office efficiency?

(https://i.imgur.com/9NiXawQ.png)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on September 04, 2025, 04:53:56 PM
I'd been slacking on my workouts. I was still riding the Peloton, but my strength work basically took a multi-month hiatus due to a spiral of depression. 

So... This week I decided to fix that. And I've finally done some strength workouts. 

Which will eventually make it into the "happy" thread...

...but for now...

...everything is pain. :91:
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: SuperMario on September 04, 2025, 05:01:49 PM
May as well put this here.

This package was dropped off at the local post office. From there, it went to Miami, then Tampa, and finally to its destination in Englewood. This package travelled 520 miles, for a 27 mile trip from Punta Gorda to Englewood.

Any questions on Post Office efficiency?

[img width=347.997 height=500]https://i.imgur.com/9NiXawQ.png[/img]
Earlier this year I had something shipping from Illinois to Ohio.. Somehow ended up in England.. the country.. When i asked the company to just cancel it and resend, the preferred the route of shipping it back.. It was a $20 item.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: SFBadger96 on September 05, 2025, 11:54:07 AM
Hot water heater wouldn't connect to the wi-fi (needed to recirc the water so as not to wait for hot...long, further grumpy-old-man story...). Tried calling the company hotline--message says they don't take hotline calls anymore, have to use the chatbot. Logged into the chat bot on Wednesday, said it would be an 11 minute wait. Was a 15 minute wait. Then it referred me to "level 2 support" because I had already done all the things the chat bot would have wanted me to try. Level 2 support would be a 7 minute wait. 20 minutes later I had to leave for work.

So, tried again this morning. Same: 11 minute wait: turned into closer to 20. Sent to Level 2 support: took about an extra 8 minutes. Finally got through, turned out the fix was to unplug the whole unit and plug it back in again. Gold-darn-it. Simplest freakin' troubleshooting fix of all, and I hadn't tried it yet. To be fair, the problem was the wi-fi module, but the fix was to unplug the whole water heater, then plug it back in. But still. Made me mad that I hadn't done that on my own. Weird thing is it is a natural gas heater, but it takes some electricity to run its brain; that was what needs resetting. And the fact that it is a gas heater is the reason I hadn't thought about just rebooting the computer part of it. Sigh.

Stoopit newfangled technology.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on September 10, 2025, 09:24:25 AM
Last week with my step son we drove to Cincinnati for a 90th birthday celebration of a friend of my wife's.  OK, whatever.  The first event was a dinner of sorts at some pretty mundane restraurant in their patio, fortunately the weather was nice.  I'd guess there were 60 people crowded into the space.  The birthday boy gave a speech, a long speech, and hardly anyone listened.  I could hear he was talking but not what he was saying because everyone else was talking at the same time, the noise level was bothersome to me, I'm a bit sensitive to loud noises.  Anyway, I sat at the table and had a couple glasses of pretty awful white wine and a plate from their "buffet", no big deal.  I said nothing, again because of the noise level.  People kept rearranging the seating at the table bringing more tables over, so I constantly had to get up and shift my chair.  So, I'm not in a good mood, and my wife knows it.  A few people I didn't know tried to ask me something, I couldn't make it out unless they screamed in my ear, all while birthday boy is droning on about something.  This sort of event is entirely something I abhor.

The next day, the event was a brunch with a "smaller group" and dude's condo, I told my wife I couldn't make it.  She later told me I made a good choice.  Then that afternoon was a riverboat cruise to watch the fireworks, I told my wife I wasn't going even though she had paid $500 for the ticket, which amazed me.  So, I stayed in the two bedroom loft my step son had rented, and walked over to a Kroger downtown to get some food.  This was in the OTR area of Cincy which is ... interesting.

I'm told Birthday Boy made another long speech on the boat, this time apparently folks quieted down a bit.  My wife said he rambled.  This fellow is the only of her friends I actively dislike, I dislike very few people, I do ignore others I don't particularly care to around, but dislike?  Not often.

Then we drove back.  Amidst the group was our friends from France who I do like, and their daugher and her husband I don't recall ever meeting.  The father was the CEO of my wife's company and she worked directly for him and he is a very interesting fellow, as is his wife.  They drove down to ATL to stay near us and visited for dinner which turned out to be enough to compensate for the silliness above, I really enjoyed that.  The daughter probably wondered how I could be so sullen at their party and so lively and engaged at our dinner.  So, that part worked out fine.  And my two kids are coming in Friday for my birthday, so that will be fun, probably.

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: jgvol on September 10, 2025, 10:29:41 AM
Hot water heater wouldn't connect to the wi-fi (needed to recirc the water so as not to wait for hot...long, further grumpy-old-man story...). Tried calling the company hotline--message says they don't take hotline calls anymore, have to use the chatbot. Logged into the chat bot on Wednesday, said it would be an 11 minute wait. Was a 15 minute wait. Then it referred me to "level 2 support" because I had already done all the things the chat bot would have wanted me to try. Level 2 support would be a 7 minute wait. 20 minutes later I had to leave for work.

So, tried again this morning. Same: 11 minute wait: turned into closer to 20. Sent to Level 2 support: took about an extra 8 minutes. Finally got through, turned out the fix was to unplug the whole unit and plug it back in again. Gold-darn-it. Simplest freakin' troubleshooting fix of all, and I hadn't tried it yet. To be fair, the problem was the wi-fi module, but the fix was to unplug the whole water heater, then plug it back in. But still. Made me mad that I hadn't done that on my own. Weird thing is it is a natural gas heater, but it takes some electricity to run its brain; that was what needs resetting. And the fact that it is a gas heater is the reason I hadn't thought about just rebooting the computer part of it. Sigh.

Stoopit newfangled technology.

Water heater connects to wi-fi.....Whaaaa?

I'm definitely behind the times......gladly, probably.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on September 10, 2025, 10:30:23 AM
I'll try to stay back here
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: SFBadger96 on September 10, 2025, 01:06:59 PM
Water heater connects to wi-fi.....Whaaaa?

I'm definitely behind the times......gladly, probably.
Frankly, I'm a little annoyed (grumpy old man-style) at that, too.

We have a tankless water heater (good decision, but it has its downsides), and it has a recirc pump so that if you know you're going to want hot water at a faucet far away from the heater, it's a good idea to run the recirc for a few minutes beforehand. You activate the recirc pump through the wi-fi. Generally it works well, and when you live in a place without much water, it's better not to just run the water until the hot water arrives, which can be as much as minutes later, depending on where in the house (PS it's not that big a house). There's another part of this story, which is the crappy job the plumber did when this system was installed, but it's just something we've learned to live with.

Anyway, because of the way this system works, with the use of wifi, the freaking mfg knows everything about my water use. That bugs me. Not that it will ever matter, but it is a little creepy that some chatbot knows when I'm using my hot water.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on September 10, 2025, 01:08:08 PM
Wife's RX needs front lower control arms replaced, and full pads & rotors all around. That's... Not cheap. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on September 10, 2025, 01:47:45 PM
Wife's RX needs front lower control arms replaced, and full pads & rotors all around. That's... Not cheap.
You're an engineer, just DIY it. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on September 10, 2025, 01:51:45 PM
Our thermostat connects to wifi which comes in handy, but water heater?
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on September 10, 2025, 02:07:53 PM
You're an engineer, just DIY it.
I would for my Jeep. Heck, I installed the entire lift kit myself. 

Not messing with her car. I'd rather pay the money than do something wrong and get blamed for it :57:
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on September 10, 2025, 04:31:09 PM
You're an engineer, just DIY it.
So, I'm an engineer too, and when I look under my hood and see this

(https://i.imgur.com/8tulaLT.png)

I know to get the hell away from it.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on September 10, 2025, 05:41:44 PM
So, I'm an engineer too, and when I look under my hood and see this

(https://i.imgur.com/8tulaLT.png)

I know to get the hell away from it.


You should be able to design a better one, machining each of the components from scratch. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Gigem on September 10, 2025, 10:15:00 PM
You're an engineer, just DIY it.
You obviously don’t understand what an engineer does. 

Engineer is not a technician. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on September 10, 2025, 10:17:17 PM
So, I'm an engineer too, and when I look under my hood and see this

(https://i.imgur.com/8tulaLT.png)

Ed Zachery.  Engineers cause this crap
not technicians
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on September 10, 2025, 10:33:09 PM
I hate how everything is covered up nowadays.  Even the undercarriage (for good reasons, but still). 

I miss my lifted Jeep where I could literally roll under it, work on it, take a nap, and roll back out.  And I'm not svelte.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on September 11, 2025, 12:58:32 AM
Engineers can do anything, with enough time and study. But the humility of an engineer is to know that in some cases, you simply don't have the knowledge and experience to trump other engineers who have been honing their craft for decades. 

I am not an engineer in anything remotely automotive. I can turn a wrench from time to time, but automotive design is not my field. Just as any engineer working for the Big 3 would take 5-10 years (minimum) to remotely equal my knowledge and experience in my field. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on September 11, 2025, 06:09:16 AM
Engineers can do anything, with enough time and study. But the humility of an engineer is to know that in some cases, you simply don't have the knowledge and experience to trump other engineers who have been honing their craft for decades.

I am not an engineer in anything remotely automotive. I can turn a wrench from time to time, but automotive design is not my field. Just as any engineer working for the Big 3 would take 5-10 years (minimum) to remotely equal my knowledge and experience in my field.
Exactly.

I've been practicing since September 4, 1984.

I'm still practicing.

Soon, I will quit.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on September 11, 2025, 06:10:22 AM
Is there some function beyond asthetics for engine covers?  I understand aero underneath, but on top?

This is the Hyundai.  I actually never open the hood until the washer fluid indicates low.  I can probably change the air filter, if it's in the box on the left.  I used to check the oil religiously back in the day.  I think the orange thing on the right relates to the electric motor, maybe.

The somewhat annoying feature of this car is that it shuts down after about a week of sitting, as in, you can't open the doors.  I have to detach a plastic cover off the door handle and use the hard key to enter and reset the battery.  It has two batteries, a regular one and then the hybrid one, so I don't know why it would run out of power sitting a week.

(https://i.imgur.com/9nq0BRi.jpeg)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on September 11, 2025, 06:11:58 AM
A simpler affair, to me, would be one where the electric motor does all the propelling, no transmission.  An engine is there solely to generate electricity for the battery.  No alternator, one battery, not two, no start stop needed.  Maybe you could plug it in to 110v to juice the small battery a bit.  PHEV.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on September 11, 2025, 06:14:52 AM
I'll take the covered engine, thank you.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on September 11, 2025, 07:35:43 AM
apparently, engine covers look nice.
seems they would hold heat

I don't understand all the fiber carbon covers for many things.
Why put a cover on something to make it look like fiber carbon?

if it's not fiber carbon, by adding the cover, you're just adding weight that you don't need with no function
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on September 11, 2025, 08:45:21 AM
apparently, engine covers look nice.
seems they would hold heat

I don't understand all the fiber carbon covers for many things.
Why put a cover on something to make it look like fiber carbon?

if it's not fiber carbon, by adding the cover, you're just adding weight that you don't need with no function
It's aesthetic, of course.  Like most of the rear wings and front spoilers and air dams and other side skirts on all of the various production road models.  They're intended to make a road car look more aggressive, more like a race car, which actually has use for all of those aero pieces.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on September 11, 2025, 08:52:04 AM
The front air dams have some function of course at freeway speeds and a bit.  The rear spoiler  if designed correctly can also improve gas mileage at say 80 mph by separating air flow from the rear of the car where it induces drag.  The impact at say 80 mph MIGHT be a few tenths of mpgs.  

Rear Spoilers | The Point of Rear Spoilers and How to Install Them (https://autotraining.edu/auto-repair-tips/rear-spoilers/)

How Form Meets Function: The Science Behind Car Spoilers and Aerodynam – Pedal Commander® (https://pedalcommander.com/blogs/garage/the-science-behind-car-spoilers-and-aerodynamics)

At very high speeds, the drag associated with a rear spoiler increases to the point that top speed is reduced, but it keeps the car from coming off the ground.  The Z07 package on a Corvette reduces top speed.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on September 11, 2025, 08:56:16 AM
The front air dams have some function of course at freeway speeds and a bit.  The rear spoiler  if designed correctly can also improve gas mileage at say 80 mph by separating air flow from the rear of the car where it induces drag.  The impact at say 80 mph MIGHT be a few tenths of mpgs. 

Rear Spoilers | The Point of Rear Spoilers and How to Install Them (https://autotraining.edu/auto-repair-tips/rear-spoilers/)

How Form Meets Function: The Science Behind Car Spoilers and Aerodynam – Pedal Commander® (https://pedalcommander.com/blogs/garage/the-science-behind-car-spoilers-and-aerodynamics)

At very high speeds, the drag associated with a rear spoiler increases to the point that top speed is reduced, but it keeps the car from coming off the ground.  The Z07 package on a Corvette reduces top speed.

Right.  For standard production cars at legal speeds (Not Corvette Z07s on tracks and whatnot), all of those air dams and spoilers have little to zero effect.

Like I said, they are for aesthetics.  Same as the fake carbon fiber or carbon fiber cover stuff.

Which is fine.  I think they can look very cool sometimes.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on September 11, 2025, 08:58:26 AM
I'm not talking about functional pieces

I'm talking about a fiber carbon cover to make it look like the functional piece is made of fiber carbon
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on September 11, 2025, 08:58:56 AM
Arizona has some patches of sticky dust that is so fine it looks like smoke when you drive through it. It gets into every nook and cranny, and it is difficult to remove. You'll be glad for the engine cover if you ever encounter it. 

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on September 11, 2025, 09:00:23 AM
I'm not talking about functional pieces

I'm talking about a fiber carbon cover to make it look like the functional piece is made of fiber carbon
I'm equating the two.  In the vast majority of cases for road cars running on streets, all of those air dams and spoilers and wings, are not functional either.  They are for aesthetics.  Same as the carbon fiber covers.  It's simply to look cool.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on September 11, 2025, 09:10:46 AM
I also think it looks odd to add carbon fiber pieces, even if it's real carbon fiber, to a car that is not made of carbon fiber.

Since my son has a new Mustang, and he's a teenage boy, he's obviously already looking into modifications for it. He'd like to add a new front chin spoiler and some kind of rear spoiler to the vehicle, and he keeps wanting to go with either carbon fiber, or the carbon fiber lookalike stuff.

But none of the other pieces or covers or trim work, is carbon fiber.  It's mostly matte black plastic, or in some cases glossy black.  Because of the formulation of the front grill, I think a matte black front chin spoiler would look best.  And because of the black gloss paint on the roof and some other pieces toward the rear, I think a glossy black rear spoiler would look best.

But the boy wants that carbon fiber look.  Seems weird and out of place to me but the heart wants what the heart wants I guess.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on September 11, 2025, 09:16:41 AM
I was more into auto aesthetics when I was 17 than I am today.

Of course, cars back then were any color you wanted so long as it was black ....
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on September 11, 2025, 09:19:02 AM
Arizona has some patches of sticky dust that is so fine it looks like smoke when you drive through it. It gets into every nook and cranny, and it is difficult to remove. You'll be glad for the engine cover if you ever encounter it.


(https://richardnilsen.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/toroweap-11.jpg?w=660&h=495)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on September 11, 2025, 09:24:50 AM
it's not a mirror, it's a mirror cover


(https://i.imgur.com/3GTF6y2.png)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on September 11, 2025, 09:25:20 AM
it actually adds weight
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on September 11, 2025, 09:28:10 AM
it actually adds weight
Yup.  It's strictly for aesthetics.

They make those for my son's Mustang but thankfully that's not one of the mods he wants.  The car is carbon gray metallic, but it has a trim package where the mirrors are painted gloss black instead of matching the body color.  So they already look cool.  The roof is also gloss black instead of body color, it's subtle on an already dark gray car but makes it look a lot tougher, IMO.

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on September 11, 2025, 09:32:50 AM
$500

geez
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on September 11, 2025, 09:33:16 AM
Rear wing and front air dam on this bad boy probably don't do a whole lot for day-to-day performance, maybe out on the track they do?  But they sure look cool! 

(https://i.imgur.com/vh2W7Ko.jpeg)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on September 11, 2025, 09:35:07 AM
oh, it goes fast enuff to get a bit of performance
even in a straight line
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on September 11, 2025, 09:35:35 AM
Sporty cars thread?
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on September 11, 2025, 09:36:54 AM
sporty cars don't make me grumpy

$500 mirror covers that serve no purpose do

hell they make the push button starter covers
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on September 11, 2025, 09:38:56 AM
Sporty cars thread?
Well Fearless is grumping about car stuff.  So here we are.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on September 11, 2025, 09:39:46 AM
sporty cars don't make me grumpy

$500 mirror covers that serve no purpose do

hell they make the push button starter covers
They make carbon fiber inserts for the cupholders.  True story.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on September 11, 2025, 10:24:58 AM
My buddy had either a Ducati 916 or 996 (I forget which was the current model at the time), in traditional red. 

He replaced the main bodywork pieces with carbon fiber but actually had it painted red--except for the DUCATI stencil on the sides, which were unpainted and revealed the carbon fiber underneath. 

While paint adds weight, they were still lighter than the stock body panels, and made for a pretty cool effect. 

To bring this into this thread's purpose, he was grumpy when he crashed it and broke both his arms. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MrNubbz on September 11, 2025, 11:34:40 AM
He's lucky he wasn't stumpy
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on September 11, 2025, 12:43:46 PM
He's somewhat lucky he's alive. He was being stupid riding at an absurd speed at night--I think on the interstate--and someone changed lanes right in front of him. He grabbed the brakes but hit them at a pretty high closing speed. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on September 11, 2025, 12:52:25 PM
You're an engineer, just DIY it.
BTW one of the reasons I don't DIY it with my wife's car...

So they finished up everything with the control arms, the brakes, and the alignment yesterday. But when they went to replace one of the sensors, now it's tripping the ABS system warning lights. 

Given that this was something that was done when THEY removed the sensor and replaced it, they're replacing the sensor and doing it for free. Only downside for us was an extra day in the shop to give them time to get the part--which doesn't bother me because it "forced" me to drive the Jeep to the office which I love doing anyway, but annoys my wife because she has to drive the Flex. 

But this sort of thing... It's an extra day in the shop for qualified professionals. For me it would mean starting my own secondary troubleshooting effort to figure out what was causing the light. Then it would entail an extra day or couple of days to order and get the part. Then it would take finding the time to do the work. All of which my wife would be stuck with my Flex and I'd have the Jeep as my only option. And then I'd still have to take it into a shop for an alignment, which is one thing I don't have the skills or tools to do. 

There are some times that it's just better to throw money at a problem, even if you're technically capable of handling it yourself. I *can* replace control arms and brakes. But it doesn't always make sense. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: SFBadger96 on September 11, 2025, 12:57:03 PM
He's somewhat lucky he's alive. He was being stupid riding at an absurd speed at night--I think on the interstate--and someone changed lanes right in front of him. He grabbed the brakes but hit them at a pretty high closing speed.
Motorcycles are dangerous in the best of circumstances. Too bad--they look like a lot of fun.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on September 11, 2025, 01:01:39 PM
Motorcycles are dangerous in the best of circumstances. Too bad--they look like a lot of fun.
And they're even more fun than they look :72:
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on September 11, 2025, 01:02:16 PM
Motorcycles are dangerous in the best of circumstances. Too bad--they look like a lot of fun.
I would never ride one here.

People can't see.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on September 11, 2025, 01:09:47 PM
I would never ride one here.

People can't see.
I crashed on the racetrack 2 years before the iPhone was invented. At the time I already was getting freaked out riding on public streets. 

I can't imagine owning one for on-street riding now. 

Not only do I have to worry about ordinary bad drivers, I have to worry about good drivers who are temporarily bad because they are looking at their phones, and I have to worry about drivers who are letting their Tesla drive for them. Any of those three might fail to see me. 

If I ever get another, it will be track-only. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MrNubbz on September 11, 2025, 02:07:42 PM
I would never ride one here.

People can't see.
  Rode mini bike's back in the day,never a street bike.After 9th grade summer FB practice a buddy and I stopped at Burger King to scarf down.A short time later some some biker stops at a red light not far from us and an older woman pulls up and hits his rear tire.Going slow prolly 5-6-7 mph. The bike immediately flipped back tire over front we looked at each other in disbelief. Couldn't believe he wasn't killed as he wasn't wearing a helmet.We were the 1st ones there the guy was sitting up on the adjacent curb holding his ribs and gasping a bit as he fired up a smoke. Prolly had a couple broken ribs and maybe a punctured lung. The rescue squad got there quick enough as did the cops.That didn't look like a lot of fun so we went back inside and finished our meal. Neither of us has taken to the 2 wheelers ever since
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: jgvol on September 11, 2025, 02:38:03 PM
Motorcycles are dangerous in the best of circumstances. Too bad--they look like a lot of fun.

My nephew died in a motorcycle wreck 3 weeks ago.  Only 19 years old.

He had only had the bike for 6 weeks.  He was a wild child, and short on brains --- the kind of kid that never should have owned a motorcycle.

So glad my sons never had an interest, and now that their cousin has died on one --- a worry I'll probably never have.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on September 11, 2025, 02:56:15 PM
Sorry to hear that @jgvol (https://www.cfb51.com/index.php?action=profile;u=1567) -- that's terrible...
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MrNubbz on September 11, 2025, 03:38:46 PM
My nephew died in a motorcycle wreck 3 weeks ago.  Only 19 years old.
Condolences jgvol
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on September 11, 2025, 03:42:13 PM
Yes sorry to hear that jgvol.

My older cousin died in a motorcycle accident when he was 21 and going to UT, I was only 12 or so at the time but he was my favorite cousin and it impacted me quite a bit.

I will never, ever ride a motorcycle on roads that are shared with cars.

I have in the past ridden dirtbikes out on private property in the boonies, which was fun, but I'll never ride on the streets.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on September 11, 2025, 03:53:24 PM
legally a slingshot is considered a motorcycle. 

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ec/Polaris_Slingshot_front_3.4.18.jpg/1200px-Polaris_Slingshot_front_3.4.18.jpg)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on September 11, 2025, 04:16:23 PM
I see a lot of those around here. Still a death trap.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: jgvol on September 11, 2025, 04:43:44 PM
Thanks, all.

It was topical to the convo --- hope I didn't make anyone feel bad.

Definitely sad, though.  Young lives cut short always are.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on September 11, 2025, 05:01:54 PM
Yes, that is terrible.

My oldest has a big boy H-D Super Glide and I hate it when he rides. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on September 11, 2025, 07:16:47 PM
And they're even more fun than they look :72:

Yes, they are 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: CatsbyAZ on September 12, 2025, 11:15:42 AM
Wife's RX needs front lower control arms replaced, and full pads & rotors all around. That's... Not cheap.

I have this exact repair scheduled at the Mazda dealer this coming Monday. Will run over $1200 + $150 for the follow-on wheel alignment.

You're an engineer, just DIY it.

This is not a repair I can do on my own. First, to access the front suspension area for work, you'll need a car lift, which I doubt anybody here has in their garage. Second, once the new controller arms are installed, a wheel alignment is required after this kind of work on/near the suspension system. No way I can do a wheel alignment without a wheel aligner system. Most standard models are over $5k. 

Shop work all the way.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on September 12, 2025, 11:24:07 AM
I thought nearly everyone had a car lift in their garage.

Pikers.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on September 12, 2025, 11:25:50 AM
This is not a repair I can do on my own. First, to access the front suspension area for work, you'll need a car lift, which I doubt anybody here has in their garage. 
You could conceivably do this with jack stands. It would be a lot more cramped, but possible. I did the lift kit on my Jeep with just jack stands, not a car lift. It wasn't ideal, but I did it. 

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on September 12, 2025, 02:38:57 PM
Bwarb designed thee or four car lifts in his sleep, last night 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on September 12, 2025, 04:06:33 PM
My oldest son has a lift.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on September 12, 2025, 04:08:31 PM
(https://i.imgur.com/0S27KGx.png)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on September 12, 2025, 04:15:50 PM
gotta be able to park another sports car underneath
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on September 12, 2025, 04:31:41 PM
gotta be able to park another sports car underneath
One of my old bosses had that. He was big into Morgan roadsters, had a couple of them. He could park one under the other with his lift. Also had an old-school Mini Cooper. Had some cars that were in storage.

Was telling me a story about how he and his wife were in a meeting with their financial guy, and at some point the discussion of the 9th vehicle came up and his wife said... "Wait, when exactly did you get another???" :57:

This is what life looks like when a guy in tech in SoCal marries a woman in tech in SoCal. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on September 13, 2025, 07:50:32 AM
my dentist buddy with the 9 Mustangs sold his toy shed this summer.  The nice heated shed where I was able to store the vette last winter.
I was hoping the new shed would be a spot for the vette again this winter.
He downsized,........... even sold one of the Mustangs.
No spot for the Vette.

That makes me grumpy.

looking into insulating my garage and installing a heater
 - damn
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on September 13, 2025, 08:21:48 AM
Running 220 is a PIA. The wire is very hard to work with.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on September 13, 2025, 08:25:03 AM
(https://i.imgur.com/w51ZNtx.png)

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on September 13, 2025, 08:46:25 AM
I know a guy.
the father of the guy that's gonna do the insulation
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on September 21, 2025, 07:07:24 PM
That concert is past annoying.  Last day.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on September 22, 2025, 01:34:50 AM
(https://i.imgur.com/KXD2uEn.jpeg)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on September 22, 2025, 09:27:02 AM
At our distance, most of what we hear is drums and heavy bass.  It gets really annoying as the heavy bass in a lot of modern music is the same thing over and over.

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on September 22, 2025, 10:04:25 AM
Heavy bass tends to sound like heavy bass no matter the era of music.

In the 70s and early 80s, I grew up in a house about 1.5 blocks from the local skating rink.  At that distance, and through the walls of that old steel hangar-style building, all you could hear was the bass, but you could hear it quite well.  They weren't playing rap or hip hop back then, just pop and hard rock.  The bass sounded pretty much the same, regardless.

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on September 22, 2025, 10:14:28 AM
The heavy bass in classical music often sounds like ... music.

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on September 22, 2025, 10:24:10 AM
and grumpy old men will complain about that, too!
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on October 10, 2025, 04:26:29 PM
Do any of you get into the situation where you want something, and you can afford it, but when you actually see the price tag you realize "no effing way" because you've anchored in very old ideas about what some things should cost? 

I logged into the Rush ticket sale. I was pretty early in the queue and when I got in, there were a LOT of tickets available. 

Prior to logging in, I thought, "$300 seems like a good upper limit" for tickets. Especially since I know we'd have to drive to LA, which is annoying, my wife doesn't even know/like Rush or their music, so although she'd be completely supportive and go with me, I know her ticket is a bit of a wasted expense, etc... So I figured $600 for the two of us for a night out was about as much as anyone should reasonably have to pay. 

So... I get in and set the slider to a max of $300. And immediately every part of the Forum seating that isn't an absolute upper deck nosebleed disappears. So I set the slider to $350. No change. Slide it to $400. Ahh! Some things open up! I find two good tickets for a combined $790. 

But... Do I really want to spend $800 on a concert? For a band I've actually seen once before (which I could somehow afford when I was a damn poor college student!), when one of the original band members isn't even alive? No! That's ridiculous!

And yet... I can afford it. I'm not saying $800 is nothing. I'm by no means "rich". But I've reached a point in my life and career, where I can treat myself to things... Especially since there are very few times that I actually spend a lot of money on myself. I could buy those tickets and feel not even the slightest twinge financially. 

But $800 just seems like too much. 

So I closed the browser window in disgust, went and mashed some pedals on the Peloton to get some frustration out, and I'm consigning myself to maybe checking out as we get closer to the date of the show if interest wanes and they get cheaper (unlikely, of course). 

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on October 10, 2025, 04:37:30 PM
I'm not paying that kind of money.

I love the guys - no doubt. I've seen them 27 times - with Neil.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on October 10, 2025, 04:46:24 PM
I'm glad that I stopped going to concerts. Good grief. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on October 10, 2025, 05:04:46 PM
I'm glad that I stopped going to concerts. Good grief.
Yeah, we don't go anymore either really. I'd have done this one - it's Rush. But I don't have a lot of patience for mass crowds anymore.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on October 10, 2025, 05:41:46 PM
Do any of you get into the situation where you want something, and you can afford it, but when you actually see the price tag you realize "no effing way" because you've anchored in very old ideas about what some things should cost?
Every single day.  

The other day, I was going to grab something, thinking it'd be $15 or so.  $27.  
Nope.  
I don't even remember what it was, but I remember the price disparity between what I was willing to pay and what it cost.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on October 10, 2025, 05:43:57 PM
So this fall break has been shit.
Car issues negated a trip to Vegas.
Car issues took days longer and cost far more than anticipated.

I go to an AZ Fall League baseball game.  Delayed.  Cancelled.

FFS

I just wanted to turn off my brain and enjoy some random baseball.  Nope.  

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Riffraft on October 10, 2025, 05:56:22 PM
Do any of you get into the situation where you want something, and you can afford it, but when you actually see the price tag you realize "no effing way" because you've anchored in very old ideas about what some things should cost?

I logged into the Rush ticket sale. I was pretty early in the queue and when I got in, there were a LOT of tickets available.

Prior to logging in, I thought, "$300 seems like a good upper limit" for tickets. Especially since I know we'd have to drive to LA, which is annoying, my wife doesn't even know/like Rush or their music, so although she'd be completely supportive and go with me, I know her ticket is a bit of a wasted expense, etc... So I figured $600 for the two of us for a night out was about as much as anyone should reasonably have to pay.

So... I get in and set the slider to a max of $300. And immediately every part of the Forum seating that isn't an absolute upper deck nosebleed disappears. So I set the slider to $350. No change. Slide it to $400. Ahh! Some things open up! I find two good tickets for a combined $790.

But... Do I really want to spend $800 on a concert? For a band I've actually seen once before (which I could somehow afford when I was a damn poor college student!), when one of the original band members isn't even alive? No! That's ridiculous!

And yet... I can afford it. I'm not saying $800 is nothing. I'm by no means "rich". But I've reached a point in my life and career, where I can treat myself to things... Especially since there are very few times that I actually spend a lot of money on myself. I could buy those tickets and feel not even the slightest twinge financially.

But $800 just seems like too much.

So I closed the browser window in disgust, went and mashed some pedals on the Peloton to get some frustration out, and I'm consigning myself to maybe checking out as we get closer to the date of the show if interest wanes and they get cheaper (unlikely, of course).


I confess I spent $800 to see the Eagles after Glenn Fry and Don Felder were not there. One dead and the other left the band.  I shocked myself paying that much.  There were great seat.  Front row along the bowl of the stadium. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Honestbuckeye on October 10, 2025, 06:17:40 PM
Do any of you get into the situation where you want something, and you can afford it, but when you actually see the price tag you realize "no effing way" because you've anchored in very old ideas about what some things should cost?

I logged into the Rush ticket sale. I was pretty early in the queue and when I got in, there were a LOT of tickets available.

Prior to logging in, I thought, "$300 seems like a good upper limit" for tickets. Especially since I know we'd have to drive to LA, which is annoying, my wife doesn't even know/like Rush or their music, so although she'd be completely supportive and go with me, I know her ticket is a bit of a wasted expense, etc... So I figured $600 for the two of us for a night out was about as much as anyone should reasonably have to pay.

So... I get in and set the slider to a max of $300. And immediately every part of the Forum seating that isn't an absolute upper deck nosebleed disappears. So I set the slider to $350. No change. Slide it to $400. Ahh! Some things open up! I find two good tickets for a combined $790.

But... Do I really want to spend $800 on a concert? For a band I've actually seen once before (which I could somehow afford when I was a damn poor college student!), when one of the original band members isn't even alive? No! That's ridiculous!

And yet... I can afford it. I'm not saying $800 is nothing. I'm by no means "rich". But I've reached a point in my life and career, where I can treat myself to things... Especially since there are very few times that I actually spend a lot of money on myself. I could buy those tickets and feel not even the slightest twinge financially.

But $800 just seems like too much.

So I closed the browser window in disgust, went and mashed some pedals on the Peloton to get some frustration out, and I'm consigning myself to maybe checking out as we get closer to the date of the show if interest wanes and they get cheaper (unlikely, of course).


To answer your question, yes.  There is a big difference between what you can afford and what you will afford 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on October 10, 2025, 06:30:29 PM
To answer your question, yes.  There is a big difference between what you can afford and what you will afford
Yep. I just didn't expect it to make me so grumpy!
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MrNubbz on October 10, 2025, 07:21:27 PM
I'm not paying that kind of money.

I love the guys - no doubt. I've seen them 27 times - with Neil.
i love Rush too but not 27 facking times 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MrNubbz on October 10, 2025, 07:25:47 PM
I confess I spent $800 to see the Eagles after Glenn Fry and Don Felder were not there. One dead and the other left the band.  I shocked myself paying that much.  There were great seat.  Front row along the bowl of the stadium.
So ya didn't see the EAGLES
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on October 10, 2025, 07:38:38 PM
I don't get the spending a ton of money for a concert thing.  I have friends that do it, and it makes them happy, which is really all that matters.

But the music is on your phone, whenever you want it.  For basically free.

That being said, I spur-of-the-moment, day-of went to see Jimmy Buffett in Phx...and then he dies 2 years later.  So I'm glad I went.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: SFBadger96 on October 10, 2025, 08:44:39 PM
I confess I spent $800 to see the Eagles after Glenn Fry and Don Felder were not there. One dead and the other left the band.  I shocked myself paying that much.  There were great seat.  Front row along the bowl of the stadium.
Ironic. My example to my kids about how these things have changed is that in 1995, I paid $75 whole dollars to see the Eagles--all of them--in Milwaukee. And that was a really expensive concert ticket back then.

It was a great show.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on October 10, 2025, 08:49:44 PM
yup, I'm not payin $375 to see a shell of a band out of their prime when 30 years ago I paid $75 to see them in their prime
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on October 11, 2025, 08:07:42 AM
I have my first Rush ticket stub.

$12 in 1979.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on October 11, 2025, 08:37:07 AM
September 9, 1982 
Omaha, Nebraska 
Civic Auditorium Arena

I have mine somewhere in the house
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MrNubbz on October 11, 2025, 08:41:55 AM
Greatest Cleveland concerts: No. 12 – Rush's Time Machine
Rush performed in Northeast Ohio more than 30 times, but it was the band's April 15, 2011, concert that would forever be immortalized.

Flashback: Cleveland became the first U.S. market to endorse Rush when WMMS music director Donna Halper put the song "Working Man" into heavy rotation after she got her hands on the Canadian band's self-titled debut album in spring 1974.


It's on the back of the album in the liner notes: "With Special Thanks to Donna Halper of WMMS in Cleveland for getting the ball rolling". or sumsuch
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on October 11, 2025, 09:01:17 AM
Yeah I don't pay modern day concert ticket prices, I just can't do it.  I hate people and therefore hate big venues anyway.

Only exception is for Formula 1, where I'm paying for the entire race weekend and so the concerts are free for me, I'd be going to the race even without the music.

Speaking of which, the US Grand Prix is next weekend.  This year's main act is Garth Brooks, who I saw for free at the State Fair of Texas after the 1990 TX-OU game in the Cotton Bowl.  Horns won that game 14-13, we watched Garth Brooks play a kickass show at the Chevrolet main stage afterward, went out to dinner at my favorite Italian joint in Dallas, Campisi's, and then took my date back to the hotel and had a very enjoyable evening.  Great day for a college freshman.  

But that needs to go on the things that make you happy thread...
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Riffraft on October 11, 2025, 10:42:54 AM
My favorite thing is my $28 1980 season ticket to Ohio State football. included all home games except the home opener
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on October 11, 2025, 11:44:12 AM
We get season tickets to the symphony, it's a 6 event package, somewhere around $100 per per.  We "usually" enjoy it.  We get invited to some special events which can be fun, like rehearsals (one time was enough for me, got it).
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MrNubbz on October 11, 2025, 11:50:39 AM
I miss Roller Derby
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on October 11, 2025, 11:52:53 AM
I miss Roller Derby
Fort Myers Roller Derby (https://fortmyersrollerderby.com/)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MrNubbz on October 11, 2025, 11:54:18 AM
Real pros appreciating the purity of the Sport :clap:
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on October 11, 2025, 12:06:23 PM
My favorite thing is my $28 1980 season ticket to Ohio State football. included all home games except the home opener
no reason to be grumpy
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Gigem on October 13, 2025, 09:30:23 AM
Ironic. My example to my kids about how these things have changed is that in 1995, I paid $75 whole dollars to see the Eagles--all of them--in Milwaukee. And that was a really expensive concert ticket back then.

It was a great show.
I'm not going to look it up on inflation calculator but isn't that about like $200-300 in today's money?  Not really that cheap.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Gigem on October 13, 2025, 09:32:14 AM

That being said, I spur-of-the-moment, day-of went to see Jimmy Buffett in Phx...and then he dies 2 years later.  So I'm glad I went. 
I mean, the man was in his mid-70's when you saw him in concert...are you really surprised he was dead a few years later?  I remember thinking when he died amazing he lived that long.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on October 13, 2025, 09:33:14 AM
I'm not going to look it up on inflation calculator but isn't that about like $200-300 in today's money?  Not really that cheap. 
I looked it up and it should be about $158 in 2025 dollars. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: SFBadger96 on October 13, 2025, 10:05:45 AM
I looked it up and it should be about $158 in 2025 dollars.
Yeah, and it felt like a lot to pay. That was a really expensive ticket at the time. I feel like $158 is about average nowadays (for a major touring act).
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Riffraft on October 13, 2025, 12:31:33 PM
I mean, the man was in his mid-70's when you saw him in concert...are you really surprised he was dead a few years later?  I remember thinking when he died amazing he lived that long. 
Saw Jeff Beck in phoenix a couple of months before he died, was still great. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Riffraft on October 13, 2025, 12:32:31 PM
Guess I am getting old, going to get my ears checked for hearing aids today.  Probably too much loud rock music. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on October 13, 2025, 12:50:18 PM
I'm having a decent day, so I'm not grumpy, not anything major, just routine and the weather is great.

I was over in the park working out some, a bit sore, not bad.  Wife is making a sandwich just now, she makes great sandwiches.

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Gigem on October 13, 2025, 04:18:54 PM
I looked it up and it should be about $158 in 2025 dollars.
Well, to be fair, there is a fairly limited supply of Rush concerts, in my opinion.  Whereas, back in 1995, they probably had hundreds of shows left to play in their lifetime.  And they were already past their prime at that point.  In 1995, although Rush regularly received radio play, when was their last true hit?  I was never a big fan, so I really have no idea when their peak was, but it's my impression they were a 70's band, and never did much in the 80's. I could be wrong, I really didn't start listening to much rock music until the late 80's.  I was a big fan of Def Lepperd.  

To tell you the truth, I was a product of the MTV era, and I don't believe Rush ever did much, or anything at all, with MTV, so they were completely off the radar by the 90's.  Contrast that with somebody like Aerosmith and Tom Petty, who were big on MTV all through the 80's and 90's and were still hugely popular even though the band was first popularized in the 70's.  

So you combine the fact that there is probably a very limited supply of Rush concerts even left, and an aging but prosperous fan base, I'm not shocked at all the price was quite high.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Gigem on October 13, 2025, 04:24:57 PM
Do any of you get into the situation where you want something, and you can afford it, but when you actually see the price tag you realize "no effing way" because you've anchored in very old ideas about what some things should cost?

I logged into the Rush ticket sale. I was pretty early in the queue and when I got in, there were a LOT of tickets available.

Prior to logging in, I thought, "$300 seems like a good upper limit" for tickets. Especially since I know we'd have to drive to LA, which is annoying, my wife doesn't even know/like Rush or their music, so although she'd be completely supportive and go with me, I know her ticket is a bit of a wasted expense, etc... So I figured $600 for the two of us for a night out was about as much as anyone should reasonably have to pay.

So... I get in and set the slider to a max of $300. And immediately every part of the Forum seating that isn't an absolute upper deck nosebleed disappears. So I set the slider to $350. No change. Slide it to $400. Ahh! Some things open up! I find two good tickets for a combined $790.

But... Do I really want to spend $800 on a concert? For a band I've actually seen once before (which I could somehow afford when I was a damn poor college student!), when one of the original band members isn't even alive? No! That's ridiculous!

And yet... I can afford it. I'm not saying $800 is nothing. I'm by no means "rich". But I've reached a point in my life and career, where I can treat myself to things... Especially since there are very few times that I actually spend a lot of money on myself. I could buy those tickets and feel not even the slightest twinge financially.

But $800 just seems like too much.

So I closed the browser window in disgust, went and mashed some pedals on the Peloton to get some frustration out, and I'm consigning myself to maybe checking out as we get closer to the date of the show if interest wanes and they get cheaper (unlikely, of course).
Last season, I really wanted to go to an A&M game where the outcome was important (news flash, it ended up not being important).  I had not been to an A&M game in several years, but the reality of it is that I only ever went to games that didn't matter, because I wanted cheap seats, didn't want to fight the excess crowds, and in general just apathy.  I hadn't been to a true "game that mattered" since I was a student.  In fact, I have only attended a few games at all in the last 25 years, like 10 total.  I really can't remember all of them, but it's been completely sporadic at best, with years sometimes between.  
Anyways, I bought some really expensive tickets to the LSU game last year, which we won.  It was a tight contest for 3/4 of the game, and we broke it open in the 4th Q.  I took my son, and we had great seats.  I think the tickets cost $1800.  It was one of the best experiences I ever had at a game, and I don't regret spending the money at all.  

All that to say, sometimes you just got to say fuck it and not worry about the money.  If you really want to see Rush, don't cheap out.  Find the best seats you can comfortably afford, and enjoy the show.  You'll probably never get the chance to see them again.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on October 13, 2025, 05:16:30 PM
Rush achieved stardom in 1980 with the release of Permanent Waves which hit #4 in the US. 

That success continued with Moving Pictures (1981), Signals (1982), Grace Under Pressure (1984), Power Windows (1985), Hold Your Fire (1987), Presto (1989), Roll the Bones (1991), Counterparts (1993) and finally Test for Echo (1996)

Then they took 5 years off when Neil's wife and daughter died.

Vapor Trails (2002) reached #6 in the US. Snakes and Arrows (2007) reached #3. 

Clockwork Angels (2012) reached #2 and was the last studio album.

R40 (40 year anniversary tour) was 2015, and was the last effort before Neil died.

Yes, I did look some of this up (the charting stuff). They had a great run.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on October 13, 2025, 05:16:43 PM
Huskers will be playin for a national tile before I'm willing to spend $1800
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Gigem on October 13, 2025, 10:20:39 PM
Huskers will be playin for a national tile before I'm willing to spend $1800
I pretended like I was saving money since I haven’t been to a game in years. I think I’m going to “save money “ again this year. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on October 14, 2025, 12:14:37 AM
I paid $300 / seat for the 1994 season, 1995 Orange Bowl - Tom Osborne's first MNC vs Miami

not sure what that is figuring inflation but, it was worth it!  Great seats
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on October 14, 2025, 01:48:15 PM
One of our two elevators is out since last Friday so I've been taking the stairs for some ups and downs.  Yesterday I misstepped on a stair and took a tumble, hit both knee caps on the concrete and twisted an ankle and scraped a finger.  I sat there a minute and it seemed it was not that bad, so I hobbled around to get the mail and whatnot.  Felt OK an hour later, nothing really amiss.  This morning however I was and am feeling it, obviously at my age stuff doesn't heal or resolve like it once did.  So, I'm taking it easy as we expect to walk quite a bit on the vacation.

It could have been worse, I need to be more careful.  I took my eye off the last step to check the door release button and didn't notice I was a step above where I thought.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on October 14, 2025, 02:34:01 PM
you're right again...

be more careful
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on November 19, 2025, 01:30:34 PM
I've had a crick in my neck for the last two days. 

When I was younger, I didn't even realize that sleeping was something that could be done wrong
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MrNubbz on November 19, 2025, 02:03:53 PM
Ha! did the same thing to my lower back Sunday Night/Monday Morning still bothering me this morning.Might have to hit the Rec Center pool, best excersize for back/neck alignment as being bouyant and stretched out everything seemingly falla back into place.Best thing is once I emerge from the locker room in my swimming trunks I have the whole place to myself in less than 5 minutes
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Gigem on November 19, 2025, 02:16:41 PM
Starting in my 30's I  used to get these horrible cricks in my neck after sleeping wrong (HTF do you do it wrong?).  Anyways they would usually go away in a few days, but eventually I started getting them so bad it would last like a week.  I finally started going to the chiropractor and that helped a lot.  Instant relief, and then usually they'd like to see me a couple more times but honestly once they popped my neck it was much better.  Anyways it usually only happened once or twice a year, and then it started happening more and more frequently especially in my 40's.  About 5 years ago (maybe more but time flies) I bought this huge "wedge" pillow.  Damn thing is like maybe 2 feet wide and has about a 30 degree incline.  I just noticed that every time I would sleep "wrong" essentially what happened is my pillow would shift weirdly during the night and my neck would be in an awkward position.  Anyways it' so big it doesn't really move at night, I can shift all around it stays put.  The pains almost immediately stopped, now I very rarely have any pains at all, and if I do it's very mild.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on November 19, 2025, 02:20:18 PM
I started back to working out after three weeks of vacay and bronchitis, and I'm amazingly sore.

We went on a walk today, nothing serious, the botanical garden and around the park, nice stroll, and I'm in pain.  These 117 year old joints ain't what they used to be.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on November 19, 2025, 02:27:47 PM
Starting in my 30's I  used to get these horrible cricks in my neck after sleeping wrong (HTF do you do it wrong?).  Anyways they would usually go away in a few days, but eventually I started getting them so bad it would last like a week.  I finally started going to the chiropractor and that helped a lot.  Instant relief, and then usually they'd like to see me a couple more times but honestly once they popped my neck it was much better.  Anyways it usually only happened once or twice a year, and then it started happening more and more frequently especially in my 40's.  About 5 years ago (maybe more but time flies) I bought this huge "wedge" pillow.  Damn thing is like maybe 2 feet wide and has about a 30 degree incline.  I just noticed that every time I would sleep "wrong" essentially what happened is my pillow would shift weirdly during the night and my neck would be in an awkward position.  Anyways it' so big it doesn't really move at night, I can shift all around it stays put.  The pains almost immediately stopped, now I very rarely have any pains at all, and if I do it's very mild. 
Any link where to buy the pillow? 

Do they make it in ogre size?

#askingforafriend
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on November 19, 2025, 02:36:32 PM
(https://i.imgur.com/PuxQWRa.png)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on November 20, 2025, 09:19:58 AM
I realized why @Gigem (https://www.cfb51.com/index.php?action=profile;u=1706) has so far not provided said link...

...because he doesn't want us to know he bought a sex pillow "for his neck" :57:
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Gigem on November 20, 2025, 09:44:42 AM
I realized why @Gigem (https://www.cfb51.com/index.php?action=profile;u=1706) has so far not provided said link...

...because he doesn't want us to know he bought a sex pillow "for his neck" :57:
Here you go, bastage...

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07SQYSRPQ?ref_=ppx_hzod_title_dt_b_fed_asin_title_0_0&th=1
I only use the side for the head, the other half is sitting in the back of the closet somewhere.  

It helped me tremendously.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on November 20, 2025, 01:51:37 PM
Here you go, bastage...

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07SQYSRPQ?ref_=ppx_hzod_title_dt_b_fed_asin_title_0_0&th=1
I only use the side for the head, the other half is sitting in the back of the closet somewhere. 

It helped me tremendously. 
Thanks. Just ordered it. They mention it can help snoring (which is sometimes a problem) and acid reflux (also sometimes). I prefer to sleep on my back but that exacerbates snoring, which sometimes means my wife less-than-gently suggests I should roll over. So if this helps that as well, even better. 

Do you use a pillow on top of it, or just use it as your only pillow?
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Gigem on November 20, 2025, 02:08:30 PM
Thanks. Just ordered it. They mention it can help snoring (which is sometimes a problem) and acid reflux (also sometimes). I prefer to sleep on my back but that exacerbates snoring, which sometimes means my wife less-than-gently suggests I should roll over. So if this helps that as well, even better.

Do you use a pillow on top of it, or just use it as your only pillow?
You just need to see how you like it.  Sometimes I use a really thin pillow, but usually nothing else.  I'm also a side sleeper, so what works for me may not work for you.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: SuperMario on November 20, 2025, 03:44:02 PM
I realized why @Gigem (https://www.cfb51.com/index.php?action=profile;u=1706) has so far not provided said link...

...because he doesn't want us to know he bought a sex pillow "for his neck" :57:
based on the link, i think you were correct. I shouldn't have avoided this thread so long. it's a good one
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on November 20, 2025, 04:27:51 PM
Old fellow I sorta know got on elevator with me and started complaining about how late the mail delivery is now.

"It used to be 3 PM, now we're lucky if it's by 6."

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on November 20, 2025, 04:51:25 PM
PM???

y'all must live in the South
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on November 21, 2025, 09:01:39 AM
We do.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Gigem on November 21, 2025, 09:46:06 AM
PM???

y'all must live in the South
how would you describe 3 or 6 PM in the North. 3 in the afternoon?  6 in the evening ? 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on November 21, 2025, 12:26:10 PM
I think it takes'em a while to get their mule up into them hollers.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on November 21, 2025, 09:18:04 PM
how would you describe 3 or 6 PM in the North. 3 in the afternoon?  6 in the evening ?
the mail is delivered in the AM

3 in the afternoon???   only 2 hours to quittin time
6 in the evening, Damn! happy hour is over!
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on November 22, 2025, 08:59:14 AM
Happy hour starts at Noon here, and we don't care what's in the mail because it's all junk.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on November 22, 2025, 09:25:38 AM
Happy hour started at 1pm yesterday

(https://i.imgur.com/O7xmTgN.jpeg)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Riffraft on November 22, 2025, 11:12:45 AM
Happy hour in Vegas 8am
(https://i.imgur.com/t8vKWxl.jpeg)
[img width=258.323 height=500]https://i.imgur.com/dUhuvKj.jpeg[/img]
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MrNubbz on November 22, 2025, 11:31:51 AM
Damn beer in the desert,what a novel idea
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on November 22, 2025, 11:33:04 AM
it's always happy hour in Vegas
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MrNubbz on November 22, 2025, 11:33:42 AM
Happy hour started at 1pm yesterday

(https://i.imgur.com/O7xmTgN.jpeg)
Looks like a proper pub to me,they're serious too.I see some Draught beer disciples :singing:
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on November 22, 2025, 11:49:04 AM
they do sell bottles and cans for the unwashed, but ya don't see one in that Friday afternoon pic

Home of the Morningside Mustang football squad - The 2018, 2019, and 2021 undefeated seasons and won NAIA national championships.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on December 09, 2025, 07:56:00 PM
Had my colonoscopy today. Didn't find anything serious, but best case is only a 5 year stint until I have to do it again.

And the kicker? No booze or exercise for 10-14 days. 

WTF am I going to do with myself? 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on December 09, 2025, 10:24:08 PM
F that doc
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MrNubbz on December 09, 2025, 11:18:28 PM
Had my colonoscopy today. Didn't find anything serious, but best case is only a 5 year stint until I have to do it again.

And the kicker? No booze or exercise for 10-14 days.
Well, there's a lot of good doctors keep on tellin' me
"You'd better start slowin' it down"
But there're more old drunks than there are old doctors
So I guess we'd better have another round

- "I Gotta Get Drunk" by Willie Nelson 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on December 10, 2025, 10:10:23 AM
after last night, I oughta outlive a couple doctors
I'm not grumpy about it.
free beer is the best beer
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on December 10, 2025, 10:59:33 AM
after last night, I oughta outlive a couple doctors
I'm not grumpy about it.
free beer is the best beer
I wondered why you were late to the party today.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on December 10, 2025, 11:01:21 AM
well, the laptop didn't like the wifi in the hotel room.
open wifi wasn't secure enough apparently.  Phone connected right up.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on December 13, 2025, 10:20:29 AM
my workout regiment is set for today.
5-6 inches of white crap on the driveway and still coming down
the only question is....... snowblower or shovel

and by the way, no stream of consciousness  for the last weekend of the regular season? WTH?
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on December 13, 2025, 01:01:09 PM
driveway and sidewalk are clean - shovel does the best job
no longer grumpy
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on December 13, 2025, 03:43:54 PM
Back went out this morning, been a few years since that happened.  Managed to avoid the "full outage" and I expect I'll be able to go to work on Monday, but I'm definitely down for the weekend. 

Grumpy.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on December 13, 2025, 05:29:20 PM
what went out?
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on December 14, 2025, 08:28:51 AM
I'm callin Bullshite!

11 below zero is too damned cold!
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on December 14, 2025, 09:29:20 AM
what went out?

My back. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on December 14, 2025, 10:06:18 AM
bummer dude

I know how ya feel.  Not today but for most of my life
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on December 14, 2025, 11:55:36 AM
F'ing AC went out AGAIN.

This GD AC company sucks ass. They were just here a week ago and gave the system a clean bill of health.

F these guys.

FIRED!
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Riffraft on December 14, 2025, 12:04:24 PM
Sitting in airport waiting on my flight.  Yes I am grumpy
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on December 14, 2025, 12:31:33 PM
sittin in the house waiting for it to warm up

it is up to 4 above!
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on December 14, 2025, 12:58:24 PM
Flex just threw a "Check Charging System" light and power steering turned off exactly at that moment. FFS. Had to take the wife's car to get charcoal.

Once this fog lifts I'll make the usual checks but I fear it's alternator and it'll need to go to the shop. 

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on December 14, 2025, 01:28:36 PM
F'ing AC went out AGAIN.

This GD AC company sucks ass. They were just here a week ago and gave the system a clean bill of health.

F these guys.

FIRED!
I thought you said it was cold there? 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on December 14, 2025, 01:37:04 PM
Flex just threw a "Check Charging System" light and power steering turned off exactly at that moment. FFS. Had to take the wife's car to get charcoal.

Once this fog lifts I'll make the usual checks but I fear it's alternator and it'll need to go to the shop.


yer a big guy, my first car didn't have power steering
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on December 14, 2025, 01:45:56 PM
California's making him soft. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on December 14, 2025, 01:52:25 PM
I'm kinda more worried about being stranded by the side of the road due to a dead alternator. 

My first car didn't have power steering either. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on December 14, 2025, 02:36:27 PM
I thought you said it was cold there?
Not today. It's about 80 at the moment, and fairly humid.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on December 14, 2025, 03:01:01 PM
Hmm... First thing I checked was the battery (car off), terminals were nice and secure, and it read just over 12V so that's good. Then checked continuity on a couple of fuses related to the alternator, by pulling them and checking with a multimeter. All good. Reinserted fuses. 

Fired up the car, plugged in the OBD reader. Said 14.4V voltage--so all good if the alternator is working. Got out and checked the voltage at the battery with it running... 14.4V. So all good if the alternator is working. 

Closed the hood, put it in gear, moved a little bit. Didn't get another check charging system notification... 

Might have to take it for a little spin around the neighborhood later when my wife gets back to see what happens.

Hoping it was just nothing, or that pulling/reseating fuses fixed a weak connection. Hoping it's not a gremlin that's just going to start disappearing/reappearing at random. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on December 14, 2025, 03:17:25 PM
well, it's a Ford
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on December 18, 2025, 07:47:55 AM
Hungry, cranky and heading to the hospital to have some work done on my right leg.

Heart and left leg are now clean, and this should be that last part.

All those years of eating crappy and smoking cigars got to me. Pretty dumb for a supposedly intelligent person.

Makes me both happy and grumpy that I've met my out of pocket (happy), so I have 2 more free things coming this year yet (grumpy).

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on December 18, 2025, 09:44:49 AM
good luck
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on December 18, 2025, 10:50:48 AM
All those years of eating crappy and smoking cigars got to me. Pretty dumb for a supposedly intelligent person.

I assure you, you are hardly alone, if that's any comfort.  

Good luck, Badge!  Keep us updated.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: SFBadger96 on December 18, 2025, 12:11:45 PM
Yup--good luck, and think of the good things, not the crappy ones.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on December 21, 2025, 08:35:36 AM
yup, get the day started.............

no coffee maker in the room at the Moxy, fine put on pants and head downstairs, grab 2 large coffees, back to the room....... key card won't work
takes the lady at the desk 5 minutes to figure it out

why don't things just work?

on a better note, the coffee id pretty good
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MrNubbz on December 21, 2025, 08:39:26 AM

Hungry, cranky and heading to the hospital to have some work done on my right leg.

All those years of eating crappy and smoking cigars got to me. Pretty dumb for a supposedly intelligent person.
I assure you, you are hardly alone, if that's any comfort. 

Good luck, Badge!  Keep us updated. 
Guilty - but it was fun from what I can recall
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on December 21, 2025, 08:41:00 AM
yup, get the day started.............

no coffee maker in the room at the Moxy, fine put on pants and head downstairs, grab 2 large coffees, back to the room....... key card won't work
takes the lady at the desk 5 minutes to figure it out

why don't things just work?

on a better note, the coffee id pretty good
Don't you know where you are?
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on December 21, 2025, 08:43:10 AM
yes, in the age of computers where life will be easier because of technology

the old school hard metal key of my youth would have worked this morning
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MrNubbz on December 21, 2025, 08:45:51 AM
Ah harkeng back through the dim mists of antiquity
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on December 21, 2025, 01:23:16 PM
Heading home today, but flight leaves at 9 PM, not much to do with the day.  Goes through SLC.   

Long flights meh.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on December 21, 2025, 07:25:18 PM
daughters gift is a turntable with speakers - nice little sound system
That made me happy

just got home and put it together to fire it up and give it a listen........... the turntable doesn't spin!
That made me grumpy!!!
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on December 22, 2025, 08:48:17 AM
Kids running around in the Delta lounge …..and I’m tired.   No discipline.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on December 24, 2025, 07:35:48 AM
One of our HVACs is struggling, the building apparently "cleaned up the water system" while we were gone.  My guess is some gunk hot into our innards.  My HVAC guy is coming Friday.  The upstairs unit is working normally.  I coaxed the troubled unit to warm the place to 70°F where it's holding, for now, but it's quite warm here, maybe record high T today.

I have baseball coming up soon, so I expect to hit the park today for some throwing and running.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on December 24, 2025, 09:22:47 AM
We keep the house at 75.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on December 24, 2025, 10:03:12 AM
66 in the winter - 78 in the summer

not grumpy
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MrNubbz on December 24, 2025, 10:43:57 AM
Ya 78 in the summer,Cindy wants 72 otherwise so the fire place worx. Other wise I might do 68 but lower than that is meat locker zone. Any way gotta go Christmas shopping,wish someone would give me a heads up on these things
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on December 24, 2025, 02:04:50 PM
I set the thermostat about 2 months out of the year (peak summer A/C). I don't run heat in the winter. 

Wait, this is the "happy" thread, right?
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on December 24, 2025, 02:29:05 PM
https://twitter.com/MissionSJC/status/2003548793925492822

FFS. 

What is wrong with people?
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on December 24, 2025, 04:06:03 PM
Supposedly we set a record for CE today high T.  I was out throwing, it was kind of warmish.  Supposedly 75°F. My watch says 72.

Given our main HVAC is having some issues this is OK with me.

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on December 24, 2025, 05:48:39 PM
vandals make me grumpy
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on December 24, 2025, 06:11:36 PM
vandals make me grumpy
(https://images.footballfanatics.com/idaho-vandals/idaho-vandals-175-x-175-mascot-modern-disc-wall-sign_pi4142000_ff_4142204-3edc6a9b6bb5426b3fba_full.jpg?_hv=2)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Riffraft on December 25, 2025, 02:40:05 PM
No heat in the winter, 80 in the summer
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on December 26, 2025, 02:56:05 PM
I started buying a few silver 1 ounce "rounds" a few years back just to have some in case of something.  I remember paying $22 or so, then $27, then it went near $40 and I stopped buying any, I was buying maybe 6-8 at a time.  Now it's $75.  Holy Hunt Brothers.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on December 26, 2025, 03:03:32 PM
I started buying a few silver 1 ounce "rounds" a few years back just to have some in case of something.  I remember paying $22 or so, then $27, then it went near $40 and I stopped buying any, I was buying maybe 6-8 at a time.  Now it's $75.  Holy Hunt Brothers.
And you're grumpy about your investment success? :smiley_confused1:
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on December 26, 2025, 03:05:25 PM
Apparently if you complete the parent portion of a FAFSA, there is no way that you can hide your income from your student... WTF?

First of all, he doesn't need to know what I or my wife earn. Second of all, the last person I need that shit leaked to is his mom. 

C'mon, gov't. You provide parents a separate login. Is there *no* way that you can then segment that information so the student can't see it? It's not like he's the one making financial aid decisions. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on December 26, 2025, 04:10:32 PM
you're not forced to complete the parent portion of a FAFSA
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on December 26, 2025, 04:23:23 PM
you're not forced to complete the parent portion of a FAFSA
I believe you are or else they forfeit any opportunity for aid. 

Not like it'll matter. If I fill it out it's not like he'll get aid anyway. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on December 26, 2025, 05:01:41 PM
see that's the deal, you fill it out and allow your child and Ex full disclosure while having no chance at any aid

it's glorious
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on December 27, 2025, 12:41:45 PM
My HVAC guy said our HVAC is full of crap, and he can't get back until Wednesday, so it's shut down.  He says if I run it, I run the risk of damaging the compressor.  No big deal today, it's still warm, but about to get chilly.

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on December 28, 2025, 08:28:46 AM
I was running sprints on vacation and pulled up with a "mild" hamstring strain, if there is such a thing.  It of course lingers, and I'm being very cautious not wanting to aggravate it, and I start baseball in two weeks and need to run sprints a lot now.  I'm doing careful stretching and some light weight leg curls (which really seem to stress the hammy).  My step son gave me a portable massage gun.

How to use a massage gun or vibration massager | How to use a hand held massager (https://www.drgraeme.com/articles/2024/05/how-to-use-a-massager)

The therapeutic uses seem to be, well, debated, but it does feel pretty good.  I wonder if folks here use such a device beneficially, and how.  I also ordered a thigh compression wrap hoping that keeps my 147 year old muscles from moving about.  Cold?  Heat?

Any advice?  I really want to be able to run at baseball.  I pulled it on the last day last year and that wasn't fun, same side, but it was the last day.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on December 28, 2025, 08:42:26 AM
I have a massager like that. I find that electric stim is better.

InTENSity 10 Digital TENS Unit | TENSPros.com (https://www.tenspros.com/intensity-10-digital-tens-unit-di1010.html)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on December 28, 2025, 09:02:18 AM
any thing over a brisk walk is dangerous at my age

of course you know this

I've not tried a hand held massager - I'd guess the young lady at the parlor would be a better option as she's a trained professional and not just an "expert"
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on December 28, 2025, 11:40:20 AM
Maybe also look into a foam roller?
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on December 28, 2025, 11:45:40 AM
I have one of these, and they are pretty sweet.

(https://target.scene7.com/is/image/Target/GUEST_695c1a54-eb73-47ee-988a-e482fbfe5b1c?qlt=65&fmt=webp&hei=350&wid=350)


Can't find the damn charger though. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MrNubbz on December 28, 2025, 12:07:52 PM
any thing over a brisk walk is dangerous at my age
That you prolly get from your stool at the bar to the men's room or from the fairway to the shrubs
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on December 28, 2025, 12:20:47 PM
The words "stool" and "men's room" should probably not be in the same sentence ...

My leg "feels" better today, so far, but I am pretty sure it would go out easily.  I'm going to stick to walking, mostly.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on December 29, 2025, 09:39:44 AM
I usually plan ahead and have little need to walk briskly

maybe on my way to the bar before the end of happy hour
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on December 29, 2025, 10:46:33 AM
There are several reasons old guys shouldn't attempt to play baseball.  Softball?  Maybe, have at it.  Usually coed.  

But baseball with guys half my age?  Wouldn't be prudent.

You sit around getting stiff and then have to run flat out.  You throw day after day, even without pitching until you are turns to rubber, and heaven forbid you actually pitch.  Then you may well get hit with the odd bounce off a grounder if playing infield, forget catching.  Nothing like a sharply hit baseball in the stomach or thigh or biceps in the morning.  Then you wash it all down with free beer in the clubhouse and then free drinks at dinner.

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on December 29, 2025, 10:56:22 AM
free drinks at dinner will allow for some illogical ideas about playing again the next morning 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on December 29, 2025, 11:02:44 AM
The after dinner events are where the hijinks really get going.  The liquor is flowing and some folks do get hammered and then show up late the next day, which results of course in fines.

We have "Kangaroo Court" each morning which is one of the really fun things at this gig.  Showing up late is ... ill advised.  

Fortunately, for me, I go with my wife and we stay at the Hampton.  The hijinks are at the campus where the players stay during Spring Training.  I went one night to see what it was all about, it wasn't as wooly as I had heard, but it was pretty wooly.

Bull Durham (1988) - Getting Woolly Scene (6/12) | Movieclips (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EroyjPcw3sg)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on December 29, 2025, 11:04:33 AM
so, that's your motivation
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on December 30, 2025, 11:09:02 AM
Downstairs HVAC is still off.  It dropped unto the 20s last night, it's still tolerable inside.  Our bedroom has a separate unit upstairs which is working.  Heat rises though.

My wife talked me into buying a "fake fireplace" a couple years back.  To me, it's a complete waste, we almost never turn it own, and the appearance is fakey fake.  BUT ... it has a resistance heat function which I am now using in the middle floor to provide a modicum of heat.

My office here I am now is on the bottom floor and it's cool here but "OK".  Dude said he would come tomorrow to flush the system and get back on line.

It's sunny today but 32°F.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on December 30, 2025, 11:54:56 AM
abundant sunshine here, expected high of 54.  Kinda grumpy that it's gonna be 41 back home.
long ways to drive to gain merely 13 degrees
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on December 30, 2025, 02:58:48 PM
abundant sunshine here, expected high of 54.  Kinda grumpy that it's gonna be 41 back home.
long ways to drive to gain merely 13 degrees

How long are you staying?  Gonna hit 85 here on Friday.  Fore!
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on December 30, 2025, 03:00:06 PM
I have a tee time for Friday
hopefully be here until Sunday morning
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on January 01, 2026, 12:36:56 AM
(https://i.imgur.com/dRQMxaJ.png)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: bayareabadger on January 01, 2026, 08:45:15 AM
I assume none on this board saw midnight. As it should be for the old. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on January 01, 2026, 08:47:26 AM
I'm your Huckleberry!

made it to 11:45
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on January 01, 2026, 08:50:50 AM
I assume none on this board saw midnight. As it should be for the old.
I did, but I don't remember a thing. A little foggy at the moment, which I hate.

Grumpy.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on January 01, 2026, 09:06:52 AM
I wasn't in the mood for a party after the Husker performance
not much drinking, maybe an all time low for me on NYE (kinda grumpy about it)
feeling crisp this morning
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on January 01, 2026, 09:14:39 AM
I'll fix that for ya.

https://twitter.com/colecubelic/status/2006518797805436986 (https://twitter.com/colecubelic/status/2006518797805436986)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on January 01, 2026, 09:26:26 AM
Yikes.  Kicking the man while he's down...

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on January 01, 2026, 09:36:34 AM
I'm grumpy.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on January 01, 2026, 10:15:45 AM
I think 30 straight is Rhule's record at Baylor and Nebraska vs AP ranked  11 & 9.

but, I get the point

better to be losing to good teams than teams like Minnesooota
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on January 01, 2026, 10:47:23 AM
No shit.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on January 01, 2026, 11:09:01 AM
I assume none on this board saw midnight. As it should be for the old.
I did. The kids are too old to fall for the "East Coast New Year's" trick but not old enough to all be out of the house. So we all made it to midnight. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on January 01, 2026, 12:05:46 PM
I made it to about 9:45.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Riffraft on January 01, 2026, 12:08:44 PM
I assume none on this board saw midnight. As it should be for the old.
made it to 10pm after the game
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MrNubbz on January 01, 2026, 01:49:08 PM
I made it to about 9:45. 
didn't see midnight
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on January 07, 2026, 01:23:51 PM
I assume none on this board saw midnight. As it should be for the old.

I almost made it this year.  Only came 30 mins short.  

Probably because that's when the fireworks in my neighborhood stopped.  Apparently even the neighbors' kids have trouble making it til midnight.  That, or their dad can't make it either and doesn't let them do fireworks without him.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on January 07, 2026, 01:28:01 PM
I made it til about 12:10.  Watched whatever countdown was Central timezone, drank a little Champagne, kissed my i s c & a aggie wife, and went to bed.

The kids were already asleep.  Their plans with their friends petered out around 10:00.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: longhorn320 on January 07, 2026, 02:08:35 PM
In my neighborhood there just cant be any sleeping untill 1 am

It like a war zone
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on January 12, 2026, 01:21:06 PM
Is my car just a goddamned magnet? I mean, it's a Ford Flex. It's not small and inconspicuous. 

At yet today is the THIRD time I've gotten rear-ended. FFS!
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on January 12, 2026, 02:08:37 PM
well, yer obviously going TOO slow..........  it is a Ford
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on January 12, 2026, 05:29:51 PM
Cali drivers...
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on January 13, 2026, 01:09:31 PM
Is my car just a goddamned magnet? I mean, it's a Ford Flex. It's not small and inconspicuous.

At yet today is the THIRD time I've gotten rear-ended. FFS!

That sucks, sorry to hear.  

It reminds me that back in high school and college my car was hit 3 or 4 times while parked....I was never in it.  Thankfully, I've never had a "moving" wreck.....it lead me to conclude back then that I must be a pretty good driver but a crappy parker.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: SFBadger96 on January 15, 2026, 02:22:11 PM
Related to what I just read on the retirement thread, I've had several adults, likely in their 30s, call me "sir" to my face in the last week or so with the subtext being that I was their elder. That weirded me out--and made me grumpy.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on January 15, 2026, 10:12:59 PM
that hasn't happened to me much yet, but it's coming
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on January 16, 2026, 11:47:36 AM
This may go on the Tech Nerd thread, but since I'm grumpy about it, here it is:

One of the many meaningless tasks I perform is to upload certain university data to this Clearinghouse outfit so they can Get Meaningful Insights for universities and Provide Important Metrics That Definitely Matter And Amount To Things.  This data has to be formatted in a very specific way, and running the reports off of our server doesn't quite cut it.  It needs some formatting and things added, changed, etc.  

Excel is an ideal tool for this, but once I realized I didn't want to memorize the steps, read instructions every semester, or basically be bothered with it as much as possible, I wrote a Python script that takes my database report and spits out a correctly-formatted .csv file I can then upload.  The whole thing should take less than a couple of minutes, boom, done.  

Apparently in November, the Clearinghouse updated their platform, and it no longer accepts the standard .csv format where null values between delimiters (commas) don't matter.  They switched to a stricter file parsing protocol where it matters how many commas the header has....I think it's called "fixed-header format" or something like that.  What this means, in English, is that when you have a spreadsheet with a bunch of columns, but you insert a header row with only a few columns, when Excel (or Python, or just about anything) saves to a .csv file, it treats the first row as if it has as many columns as the rest of the rows, and in a standard text editor, you'd see a bunch of commas with nothing between them, indicating empty values.  So for example, if your spreadsheet has 10 columns, but your header row (1st row) only has a couple of things, it looks like this:  Column 1, Column 2,,,,,,,,       <--- All those extra commas are created by default because the rest of the document utilizes that space, and virtually all parsing systems are cool with that.  Now, this dumb thing has to be:  Column 1, Column 2   <--- for the first row only, and it fails the upload if there's any more commas than that. 

1)  This is dumb.  There's been standard parsing for .csv files forever, and it's completely unnecessary to make stricter parsing standards for a header.  It doesn't hurt anything, and nearly the entire world operates on the same protocol, and so did their system, until just recently.  
2)  Yes, I can open the files in a text editor and manually edit them.  But that defeats the whole point of automating this.  And to be clear, the files are quite a bit more complicated than the small example I gave.  Sitting here straining over their newly required header format on their website to figure out how many commas I need, and where, is annoying.  
3)  Off the top of my head, I don't know how to fix my script.  Doesn't matter what I do in my coding, once Python (or anything) spits out a .csv, it creates all those commas automatically.  I'm sure there's a fix, but I'm not enough of a programmer to know what it is.  

Tryna do one little thing that I actually went to school for, and these morons are throwing a wrench in the works.  

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on January 16, 2026, 11:51:50 AM
Can you run a post-processing script on the output .csv file to reformat it correctly?  I don't know Python but I've worked with every shell scripting language ever invented for UNIX and have done things like that before.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on January 16, 2026, 12:01:16 PM
I can't, but I'm sure it can be done.  

Maybe with some free time and help from ChatGPT I could figure something out.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on January 16, 2026, 12:49:57 PM
Can you set up a script file that calls other scripts and then returns to that mother script when the process or application is complete?   I used to have scripts that were set to run big batch jobs in various applications, but files might need some manipulation either pre- or post-processing, or both.  

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: CatsbyAZ on January 16, 2026, 01:03:05 PM
One question that comes to mind almost daily is whether most everything has become A) a steadily worse version of what it used to be? Or whether B) it's part of me growing older that what I grew up with will always seem better than what we get now? IOW, is the culture and the creative output of what we grew up with better than the culture now?

I think it's a bit of both, but the former (A) - that examples like film and top 40 music getting worse - is MUCH more to blame. Just about every bit of sports, entertainment, and pop culture in general has and continues to devolve for the worse compared to my time enjoying sports and entertainments in the 90s and 2000s. Pick any example you want, and across the board most any film franchise or sport has become less interesting to follow and feels hollow. Just look at our Death of CFB thread.

Another reason to believe that the former (A) is to blame is the overdrive of nostalgia you see for the 1980s/90s. Nostalgia has always maintained a presence in current entertainment, and its range usually extends 20-40 years back. In the 1970s the nostalgia entertainment focused on the 1940s/50s. But what you see today with seemingly every film a remake/reboot from an 80s/90s property is on hyper-drive. In this case, the 1980s/90s are being mined by Hollywood and the music industry because their originality has fallen off, meaning yes, in general everything has become steadily worse.

Lastly (and just look at our Death of CFB thread), another part of what makes everything worse, is how much harder it is to keep up anything. The changes to college football come much more quickly and decisively to the point it is no longer the sport I grew up with. Another example is Star Wars. I can't keep up with all the Disney Plus SW shows and would rather watch the older movies that I enjoyed as a kid.

It's driven me into reading older books, play-listing older music, appreciating friends that shared past times with me, and spending more time around my animals - Cats and Dogs are just as enjoyable of a presence as they were when I was a kid. And that seems like an older person response to no longer being served or entertained by the current times.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on January 16, 2026, 01:09:37 PM
^^^ Grumpy Old Man status achieved!  

But I totally get it....
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on January 16, 2026, 01:11:56 PM
That's a true grumpy old man post and I'm here to applaud it!

Emotionally I want to agree with everything stated.

Intellectually I find myself disagreeing with a fair portion of it.

It warrants a longer response and I'm about to go get some Torchy's for lunch, but hopefully my grumpy old man brain remembers to check this thread and respond further, a little later.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on January 16, 2026, 01:18:34 PM
It warrants a longer response and I'm about to go get some Torchy's for lunch, but hopefully my grumpy old man brain remembers to check this thread and respond further, a little later.

Flagged.

Everything to do with Torchy's goes in the What Made Me Happy Today thread.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on January 16, 2026, 03:30:47 PM
the Microsoft Outlook I'm using since April last year sucks compared to what I had previously

makes me grumpy
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on January 16, 2026, 04:10:56 PM
One question that comes to mind almost daily is whether most everything has become A) a steadily worse version of what it used to be? Or whether B) it's part of me growing older that what I grew up with will always seem better than what we get now? IOW, is the culture and the creative output of what we grew up with better than the culture now?
I don't think that it is A, in general

I ascribe to the Sturgeon's Law (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sturgeon's_law) explanation... "Ninety percent of everything is crud." And then you compare that with B, nostalgia, and we tend to have a selective memory about the past. 

I.e. we largely remember the good things from the past more than the ninety percent. Whereas the present day, we're exposed to and focus on the entirety. So when we only remember the ten percent from the past and compare them to today's ninety percent, invariably we will think the past is better.

Now, there are other factors... I think with the rise of things like streaming services and the development of far more "niche" groups consuming content, there is a push to increase volume of content and that doesn't always mean you can keep the same quality. Back in the day, you had 3-4 major networks (4 incl. Fox which came later), and you had a limited number of screens to show movies. There was a scarcity issue that essentially FORCED content creators to try to rise above the median quality... It was a natural filter. Now you have everybody that wants as much content as possible, and they know that they aren't going to be able to grab nearly the same "mass" market attention so the ROI is smaller. So the "I" has to become smaller. You simply can't invest as much. 

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on January 17, 2026, 09:58:22 AM
The nostalgia for the past created the reboot movie culture. You go to the theatre, and there's a bunch of lame crap that you've never heard of that looks awful, and then "oh look, a new Jurassic Park. I remember Jurassic Park." So you go to that, and it winds up being worse than the lame crap that you've never heard of that looks awful. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on January 17, 2026, 10:01:05 AM
no need to get grumpy about the movie theatre, simply avoid it.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on January 17, 2026, 10:20:32 AM
The movie theater might be a good example of something that HAS gotten better over time... Better picture, better sound, comfy reclining chairs and a little button to summon the wait staff to bring me another beer. 

We don't go often, but when there's something we want to see, it's a better experience than it was. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on January 17, 2026, 10:31:31 AM
The movie theater might be a good example of something that HAS gotten better over time... Better picture, better sound, comfy reclining chairs and a little button to summon the wait staff to bring me another beer.

We don't go often, but when there's something we want to see, it's a better experience than it was.

Yeah this was going to be one of my counterpoints to Catsby's initial post.  There are several things that are objectively better than they were in the "good old days" and the movie experience is one of them.

CD brings it up often but it bears repeating-- cars are vastly improved compared to 30-40 years ago.  They're more reliable, safer, more comfortable, faster for the same sized engine displacements, more fuel efficient, and all sorts of other improvements.  Sure they're more expensive, but everything is.

As far as music-- every generation complains about the "new music" being worse than what they grew up with.  But first of all, that's a subjective matter of taste.  Most people I know who are my age, just listen to the same stuff they were listening to 30 years ago.  And that's fine, listen to what you like.  I'm very much on record as being a great lover of 80s music and that's still a large portion of what I listen to.

But I also intentionally spend scores of hours every year scouring the airwaves and the internet for new music.  It's a hobby and a passion and I can tell you there is a LOT of great new music released all the time.  And one of the greatest things about now, compared to decades ago, is the access and availability of it.  No longer am I restricted to what mainstream radio or MTV clues me into.  No longer am I bound by what the record labels think will make the most money, regardless of quality.  There are now so many avenues to obtain good new music, be it recorded or live, that it's almost an embarrassment of riches.  Sure the market is more fractured and you have to search a little harder for it, but there's plenty of it out there.

I have more thoughts on all of this, I'll add more later.

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: CatsbyAZ on January 17, 2026, 12:15:22 PM
I don't think that it is A, in general.

I ascribe to the Sturgeon's Law (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sturgeon's_law) explanation... "Ninety percent of everything is crud." And then you compare that with B, nostalgia, and we tend to have a selective memory about the past.

This is a great point that I’m glad you brought up. Taking sitcoms from my childhood, I remember watching Full House, Saved By the Bell, Family Matters, and Home Improvement. I remember liking those shows as a kid. But looking back, I admittedly watched these not because they were good but merely because they happened to be on TV after school.

In the past five years I’ve come across reruns for these shows on various digital broadcast channels, and except for Home Improvement, the other three are woefully unwatchable. If those exact shows aired today as new shows I would not get through a single episode. And the brief nostalgia you see for these shows, IMO, has more to do with scraping for "comfort watches" from the childhood era of when these shows originally aired. If they aired today as new shows, they would be soon forgotten as the 90% crude.

As far as music-- every generation complains about the "new music" being worse than what they grew up with.  But first of all, that's a subjective matter of taste.  Most people I know who are my age, just listen to the same stuff they were listening to 30 years ago.  And that's fine, listen to what you like.  I'm very much on record as being a great lover of 80s music and that's still a large portion of what I listen to.

But I also intentionally spend scores of hours every year scouring the airwaves and the internet for new music.  It's a hobby and a passion and I can tell you there is a LOT of great new music released all the time.

Music was the one art I was convinced had provably gotten worse. I’ve come across any number of commentaries pointing out how the sound of music has simplified and become less sophisticated since the 1970s. Two of the many reasons commonly cited for this are the digitization of music, putting more of the creative process through computer programs, and the rising importance of the artist’s image.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on January 19, 2026, 10:10:01 AM
It's hard to gauge "music" in general because there's just no way to take in all the music that's put out these days.  

Everything that makes it to what passes for modern-day "mainstream" in my step-son's generation and Spotify's Top (Whatever, insert # here) which tends to pass my ears at some point......I can confidently say is "dumber" than most music used to be.  The chords are repetitive and simple.  Sometimes there's no real sectional definition, or sometimes the main hook is all there is.  Something is definitely lost in instrumentation talent/ability/use, but OTOH, new synth technologies are being employed which involves way more engineering nerd-work on the front end than "playing ability" as we'd think of it, but that is still a musical skill (being a guy who plays multiple instruments and also having done some synth set-up and playing, that's my opinion, anyway), so in that way, newer music showcases some different musical ability, but musical ability nevertheless.  

Every other criticism I have of modern music could arguably be thrust into the "that's just, like, your opinion, man" category (I would dispute that, but I don't have the interest to do so here), but it is the case that the structure of songs has decreased in intricacy and imagination.  "Musical skill/talent" is kind of nebulous and possibly up for debate.  "Songwriting" skill seems to be objectively decreasing, on the whole, in the stuff I come across.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on January 19, 2026, 10:34:20 AM
Forgot to add....

There's also sheer vocal ability, which I think is as solid/great now on the whole as it ever was, if not better.  There are some tremendous singers out there these days.

That being said, for me, I think we've probably already witnessed what is likely to be the pinnacle of female singers, the departed Whitney Houston.  It's possible someone could come along in my lifetime with a voice that I thought exceeded Whitney's, but it seems very unlikely to me.  And I might well fail to recognize how great a voice is if for no other reason than Whitney sang a genre of music I like better than what's being offered today, or possibly in the future.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on January 19, 2026, 11:32:40 AM
It's hard to gauge "music" in general because there's just no way to take in all the music that's put out these days. 

Everything that makes it to what passes for modern-day "mainstream" in my step-son's generation and Spotify's Top (Whatever, insert # here) which tends to pass my ears at some point......I can confidently say is "dumber" than most music used to be.  The chords are repetitive and simple.  Sometimes there's no real sectional definition, or sometimes the main hook is all there is.  Something is definitely lost in instrumentation talent/ability/use, but OTOH, new synth technologies are being employed which involves way more engineering nerd-work on the front end than "playing ability" as we'd think of it, but that is still a musical skill (being a guy who plays multiple instruments and also having done some synth set-up and playing, that's my opinion, anyway), so in that way, newer music showcases some different musical ability, but musical ability nevertheless. 

Every other criticism I have of modern music could arguably be thrust into the "that's just, like, your opinion, man" category (I would dispute that, but I don't have the interest to do so here), but it is the case that the structure of songs has decreased in intricacy and imagination. "Musical skill/talent" is kind of nebulous and possibly up for debate.  "Songwriting" skill seems to be objectively decreasing, on the whole, in the stuff I come across

You've admitted that the modern music you're talking about is the Spotify top whatever, in other words pop music, and I'd argue that it's no less  sophisticated than the pop music from 40 years ago.  Tiffany, Debbie Gibson, or Samantha Fox.  These artists weren't paragons of talent and sophistication then, or now.

On the other hand, there's plenty of sophisictated music coming from talented musicisons, that you're just not listening to.

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on January 19, 2026, 12:29:02 PM
What is one contemporary song I should listen to to see if I like it?

I gave up listening decades ago to anything "current".  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on January 19, 2026, 12:58:18 PM
You've admitted that the modern music you're talking about is the Spotify top whatever, in other words pop music, and I'd argue that it's no less  sophisticated than the pop music from 40 years ago.  Tiffany, Debbie Gibson, or Samantha Fox.  These artists weren't paragons of talent and sophistication then, or now.

On the other hand, there's plenty of sophisictated music coming from talented musicisons, that you're just not listening to.

That's quite possible.

But re: pop music from 40 years ago, objectively, those songs frequently made use of more than the hum-drum 1, 5, 6, 4 that is so prevalent now.  In fact, that's why synths work so well in songs today (in the way they're being used as droning pads for multiple layered tracks)....because a simple open 1-5 drone works over all four of those chords.  You can't get away with that in a lot of 80's pop, and unsurprisingly, there wasn't a lot of droning synths in that stuff.  Both for stylistic choices.....it probably just wasn't fashionable back then....but also, it wouldn't work in many cases.  A droning pad would sound wrong in much of the 80's pop once the song deviated from those 4 chords.

Elton John, George Michael, Michael Jackson......that's all pop music.  Their songs are chord-progression rocket science compared to what I hear now.....which again, this can't be stressed enough, may well be quite limited.  I'm open to suggestions for a higher quality modern playlist to try, because it sure would be nice to hear some new stuff that made me want to pick up an instrument and work it out.  Maybe you can give me some songs/artists to try out.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on January 19, 2026, 01:15:35 PM
What is one contemporary song I should listen to to see if I like it?

I gave up listening decades ago to anything "current". 
don't ask this grumpy old man, I gave up decades ago
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on January 19, 2026, 01:36:55 PM
That's quite possible.

But re: pop music from 40 years ago, objectively, those songs frequently made use of more than the hum-drum 1, 5, 6, 4 that is so prevalent now.  In fact, that's why synths work so well in songs today (in the way they're being used as droning pads for multiple layered tracks)....because a simple open 1-5 drone works over all four of those chords.  You can't get away with that in a lot of 80's pop, and unsurprisingly, there wasn't a lot of droning synths in that stuff.  Both for stylistic choices.....it probably just wasn't fashionable back then....but also, it wouldn't work in many cases.  A droning pad would sound wrong in much of the 80's pop once the song deviated from those 4 chords.

Elton John, George Michael, Michael Jackson......that's all pop music.  Their songs are chord-progression rocket science compared to what I hear now.....which again, this can't be stressed enough, may well be quite limited.  I'm open to suggestions for a higher quality modern playlist to try, because it sure would be nice to hear some new stuff that made me want to pick up an instrument and work it out.  Maybe you can give me some songs/artists to try out. 
I've posted a lengthy thread with lots of modern music, playlists that I compile every year for the TX-OU game.  That's probably a decent place to start.

In general though, and no offense intended, it sounds like your mind's pretty much made up.  If, in all of the music of the last decade you've listened to for whatever reason, you haven't found ANYthing you like or are impressed with, then there's little chance anything I suggest is gonna penetrate that wall.


Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: jgvol on January 19, 2026, 02:01:02 PM
The movie theater might be a good example of something that HAS gotten better over time... Better picture, better sound, comfy reclining chairs and a little button to summon the wait staff to bring me another beer.

We don't go often, but when there's something we want to see, it's a better experience than it was.


Probably true, expect for the movie itself --- which mostly are garbage now.

Better experience, but nothing worth seeing.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: jgvol on January 19, 2026, 02:08:07 PM
Watched a thought provoking vid on this very subject a few weeks back.  Here's a simple synopsis of why we think things suck more now than they used to.  I feel like this is 100% true.


Shared culture is disappearing due to hyper-personalized digital media, globalization, and changing social structures, leading to fragmented experiences where common touchstones like shared TV shows or music fade, replaced by niche online communities and individual feeds, causing a loss of collective identity, tradition, and social cohesion, with language and physical cultural practices also at risk. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Honestbuckeye on January 19, 2026, 02:37:36 PM
You can pros and cons to anything.  

The great thing about music is you can listen to anything you like.  So many great choices.  

Modern tech- social media?   Here is what I love.  Even though one daughter lives in Denver, the other in Michigan, I can an do text and FaceTime with them all the time. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on January 19, 2026, 03:02:57 PM
Probably true, expect for the movie itself --- which mostly are garbage now.

Better experience, but nothing worth seeing.
I can't really agree with that.

The 20+ movies over the first ten years of the Avengers films are some of the best serial cinema in movie history.  I get it that some don't like superheo movies, but there's no doubt that the filmmaking, direction, acting, and storylines, were excellent across almost all of them.

Then there are directors like Wes Anderson that make movies that are rich in storytelling and cinematography, or Yorgos Lanthimos that tell deep and complex stories.

I do wonder if we're past the golden age of comedic cinema.  For me that was the mid 70s through the 80s, and maybe a little into the 90s.  Comedies these days tend toward the darker or more cynical, and just don't seem to be as much fun as they used to be.  But it's also possible that it's just a "me" thing wishing for the good old days.



Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on January 19, 2026, 03:28:44 PM
I've posted a lengthy thread with lots of modern music, playlists that I compile every year for the TX-OU game.  That's probably a decent place to start.

In general though, and no offense intended, it sounds like your mind's pretty much made up.  If, in all of the music of the last decade you've listened to for whatever reason, you haven't found ANYthing you like or are impressed with, then there's little chance anything I suggest is gonna penetrate that wall.

I'll look for the thread when I have some time.

It's not the case that I haven't found anything recent I like.  My assertion about repetitive chord progressions making the music "dumber" should not be conflated with "I don't like it."  Those are two different things, though it is nice to hear some unique and inspired progressions.  But that doesn't mean "basic" stuff can't be good.  There's a reason those chords are used so much.....they work, and many great songs are built on them.  

But I have come across modern stuff that sounds good.  It's less common than previous eras, because obviously I jive with those eras more, but it's there.  

One thing that has kept me away from the modern era is I'm still mining the "old days" for stuff I never heard previously.  In the limited time I have to search out new music, I'm still coming across old stuff that hits my sweet spot which I missed back then, and that undoubtedly cuts into the modern stuff I may like but am not searching for.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Honestbuckeye on January 19, 2026, 03:31:09 PM
My issue is- I grew up with music that had instruments in it.  You know, acoustic guitar, bass, drums, piano, etc.    so much new music nowadays has none of that.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on January 19, 2026, 03:55:47 PM
I'll look for the thread when I have some time.

It's not the case that I haven't found anything recent I like.  My assertion about repetitive chord progressions making the music "dumber" should not be conflated with "I don't like it." 
Those are two different things, though it is nice to hear some unique and inspired progressions.  But that doesn't mean "basic" stuff can't be good.  There's a reason those chords are used so much.....they work, and many great songs are built on them. 

But I have come across modern stuff that sounds good.  It's less common than previous eras, because obviously I jive with those eras more, but it's there. 

One thing that has kept me away from the modern era is I'm still mining the "old days" for stuff I never heard previously.  In the limited time I have to search out new music, I'm still coming across old stuff that hits my sweet spot which I missed back then, and that undoubtedly cuts into the modern stuff I may like but am not searching for. 

Yeah that's why I said "like or are impressed with."  

I can't say I know exactly what you're searching for, but I can say that there is more new music being made today across ALL genres and styles, and it is more accessible, than ever before.

What it is NOT-- is as easy to search for and discover.  To @jgvol (https://www.cfb51.com/index.php?action=profile;u=1567) 's point, music specifically, and pop culture in general, is more fractured than it was 30-40-50 years ago.  So although there is more of it in pretty much every style you can imagine, it's not as easy to just trip across as it was back when we had relatively few sources steering our musical tastes.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MrNubbz on January 19, 2026, 04:06:30 PM
One nice thing about the old LP albums is I found so many more good/great/enjoyable tunes than the immediate "hits" they produced. Many of these got traction later on the air waves and have staying power even today - the "B" sides if you will
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on January 19, 2026, 04:09:59 PM
My issue is- I grew up with music that had instruments in it.  You know, acoustic guitar, bass, drums, piano, etc.    so much new music nowadays has none of that. 
Yep.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on January 19, 2026, 04:55:45 PM
I usually prefer a guitar somewhere in the mix.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on January 19, 2026, 05:20:09 PM
You've admitted that the modern music you're talking about is the Spotify top whatever, in other words pop music, and I'd argue that it's no less  sophisticated than the pop music from 40 years ago.  Tiffany, Debbie Gibson, or Samantha Fox.  These artists weren't paragons of talent and sophistication then, or now.

On the other hand, there's plenty of sophisictated music coming from talented musicisons, that you're just not listening to.




Balderdash. Nobody today is blending Metal and Pop like Samanta Fox.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1btg3mpEOc

And she was a Penthouse pet? Who da Hell holds a candle to that in this day in age?


(https://wonderclub.com/images/PENTCOLL/PENTCOLLV01N02.jpg)


She was like a "real life" Kelly Bundy. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on January 19, 2026, 05:26:23 PM

Balderdash. Nobody today is blending Metal and Pop like Samanta Fox.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1btg3mpEOc

And she was a Penthouse pet? Who da Hell holds a candle to that in this day in age?


(https://wonderclub.com/images/PENTCOLL/PENTCOLLV01N02.jpg)


She was like a "real life" Kelly Bundy.

Don't get me wrong, I was a fan then and I still am.

But that song is absolutely the proof in the pudding of MDT's complaint about non-complex, unsophisticated music with chord progressions that wouldn't ever be labeled as "adventurous.:  And it's from almost exactly 40 years ago...

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on January 19, 2026, 05:32:51 PM
My issue is- I grew up with music that had instruments in it.  You know, acoustic guitar, bass, drums, piano, etc.    so much new music nowadays has none of that. 
Yep.
I usually prefer a guitar somewhere in the mix.

There's a ton of new music with guitar and real instruments.  Y'all should venture away from the moldie oldies stations.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on January 19, 2026, 05:33:46 PM
I do wonder if we're past the golden age of comedic cinema.  For me that was the mid 70s through the 80s, and maybe a little into the 90s.  Comedies these days tend toward the darker or more cynical, and just don't seem to be as much fun as they used to be.  But it's also possible that it's just a "me" thing wishing for the good old days.
And again we're in a demographic thing...

Comedy is very culture-specific. So comedy that plays well in the US might fall flat in Europe and would be totally incomprehensible in Asia...

This is why action and/or superhero movies are so common... You completely transcend culture. So they become global properties... Whereas comedies are limited by culture. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on January 19, 2026, 05:35:28 PM
There's a ton of new music with guitar and real instruments.  Y'all should venture away from the moldie oldies stations.
(https://thelistenersclub.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2014/01/don-quixote-charging-windmills-2-1080x665.png)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on January 19, 2026, 05:44:14 PM
Don't get me wrong, I was a fan then and I still am.

But that song is absolutely the proof in the pudding of MDT's complaint about non-complex, unsophisticated music with chord progressions that wouldn't ever be labeled as "adventurous.:  And it's from almost exactly 40 years ago...


Did you not make it to the blazing guitar solo? 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on January 19, 2026, 05:46:41 PM
There's a ton of new music with guitar and real instruments.  Y'all should venture away from the moldie oldies stations.
something released around September 29, 2017 new enuff?
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on January 19, 2026, 05:48:36 PM
something released around September 29, 2017 new enuff?
When you were kickin' ass in 1980, was something released in September, 1971 considered new?
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on January 19, 2026, 05:53:50 PM
ahhh, sure, not even a decade old
I was still discovering stuff from 71

how about released on January 24, 2025?
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on January 19, 2026, 06:10:36 PM
No matter what, I think we can all agree that Pitbull sucks. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on January 19, 2026, 06:11:37 PM
no matter what :96:
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on January 19, 2026, 06:17:26 PM
No matter what, I think we can all agree that Pitbull sucks.
I've actually had the grand displeasure of seeing Pitbull live.  It was exactly as awful as you'd imagine.

It was a free concert at Formula1 in Austin, so at least I didn't actually pay for it.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on January 19, 2026, 06:21:20 PM
I've actually had the grand displeasure of seeing Pitbull live.  It was exactly as awful as you'd imagine.

It was a free concert at Formula1 in Austin, so at least I didn't actually pay for it.
Sounds like you still got ripped off...
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Honestbuckeye on January 19, 2026, 09:10:00 PM
I am surrounded by 
There's a ton of new music with guitar and real instruments.  Y'all should venture away from the moldie oldies stations.
I am surrounded by non moldy old music.  All the fam and kids come over and play all kinds of stuff. 
I don’t mind it.  I even hear something I like occasionally.   But rarely are the musical instruments in what they are listening to.  
I suppose I could go searching for it.   Never needed to in the past/ it was more mainstream.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on January 19, 2026, 09:26:18 PM
Metal evolved quite a bit each decade from the 70s to the Ots, but now each newly formed metal band simply picks their favorite style from one of those decades and emulates that sound to the best of their abilities. A lot of those old bands are still around, and they all still sound the same. They trade musicians like baseball teams trade players, but they don't bring their old style into their new band. They just learn their new bands style, while their replacement in their previous band learns that bands style. They all have like 20 albums now. If you're lucky, they still have the same vocalist. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on January 20, 2026, 10:18:39 AM
What it is NOT-- is as easy to search for and discover.  To @jgvol (https://www.cfb51.com/index.php?action=profile;u=1567) 's point, music specifically, and pop culture in general, is more fractured than it was 30-40-50 years ago.  So although there is more of it in pretty much every style you can imagine, it's not as easy to just trip across as it was back when we had relatively few sources steering our musical tastes.

That's a key thing.....I haven't ferreted out good sources of modern music.  Any new music I hear is usually encountered passively....it happens to me....I stumble across it.  Eventually I need to put effort into finding reliable sources or recommendations I know I trust.  

My youngest stepson has been somewhat of a source of new music, but, he also tends to eschew a lot of it in favor of classic rock and folk rock.  So....I don't get as much from him as would be the case if he were hip-deep in music of this generation.  

I will say.....I have found a number of new offerings from old bands/artists that I loved in bygone eras which are good.  But, I feel like they don't count in this discussion since they themselves are old, even if the music is new.  

Anyway, to pull this back on topic.......I don't currently have a trusty source of new music to try, and that makes me grumpy.  There, back OT.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on January 20, 2026, 10:42:54 AM
I am surrounded by I am surrounded by non moldy old music.  All the fam and kids come over and play all kinds of stuff.
I don’t mind it.  I even hear something I like occasionally.  But rarely are the musical instruments in what they are listening to. 
I suppose I could go searching for it.  Never needed to in the past/ it was more mainstream. 
Sure, absolutely.  "Mainstream" doesn't really exist anymore.  The music industry, and indeed pretty much all entertainment industries, are far more fractured than they used to be.  You don't find the best television on the OTA network channels, you have to go searching through the paid streaming services, and similarly you're not finding all the best music on the pop radio stations. 

But I'll say, if all you're hearing from your family and kids is music that "doesn't have instruments" then you're only getting an extremely narrow sample of what's available right now.  Like MDT, your "passive listening" of modern music is not really representative.



Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: jgvol on January 20, 2026, 10:45:22 AM
Spectrum on XM is about the only way I hear any new music these days.

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on January 20, 2026, 10:57:24 AM
Sure, absolutely.  "Mainstream" doesn't really exist anymore.  The music industry, and indeed pretty much all entertainment industries, are far more fractured than they used to be.  You don't find the best television on the OTA network channels, you have to go searching through the paid streaming services, and similarly you're not finding all the best music on the pop radio stations.

But I'll say, if all you're hearing from your family and kids is music that "doesn't have instruments" then you're only getting an extremely narrow sample of what's available right now.  Like MDT, your "passive listening" of modern music is not really representative.
sorry, don't have the time or $$$ for that
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on January 20, 2026, 10:59:17 AM
sorry, don't have the time or $$$ for that
Well, that's just because all your $$$ goes into filling your 'Vette tank with gas and your tank with wings and Bud Fat. 
 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on January 20, 2026, 11:02:25 AM
sorry, don't have the time or $$$ for that

The money is easy to come by when you don't pay $100 or whatever for cable/satellite.  

We do Netflix, Hulu, and Prime for way less than the cost of cable, and that gets us a ton of enjoyable content.  

Occasionally we cut on Apple TV if there's a new season of Severance out, and check out anything else on that service that we might like.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on January 20, 2026, 11:02:32 AM
payin around $150/month just seems crazy for TV entertainment but then, that's not my thing

to each their own

I'd rather enjoy a bud fat and some wings with friends and drive there in my red sports cars than sit in front of the boob tube
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on January 20, 2026, 11:04:13 AM
Apple TV, Netflix, Hulu, and Prime for how much?

if you're getting football on Hulu it's expensive
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on January 20, 2026, 11:09:56 AM
payin around $150/month just seems crazy for TV entertainment but then, that's not my thing

to each their own

I'd rather enjoy a bud fat and some wings with friends and drive there in my red sports cars than sit in front of the boob tube
Totally fine.  As long as you're not one of the people saying "there's no good TV being made anymore" then it's all good.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on January 20, 2026, 11:58:33 AM
it's all good
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on January 20, 2026, 01:54:10 PM
Apple TV, Netflix, Hulu, and Prime for how much?

if you're getting football on Hulu it's expensive

Netflix a few pennies under $20, Hulu with no commercials is a few pennies over $20, so let's call them $20 a piece.  Something like $12.50 for Prime, but it's charged annually, though I think that's about what it comes out to.  I pay an extra $2.50 for no commercials there too, so let's call it $15.

So $55/month for those three, which has a lot more stuff than cable has.

We get YTTV or Hulu TV when football is on, so that's an addition.  But really, if you can get local channels OTA, you can get Sling Orange for around $40 or something and get your ESPNs.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on January 20, 2026, 02:15:10 PM
I'd like to know the legal source for ESPN, SEC and BTN, FS1 - you know, SEC and B1G football that's less than $82.99 = that's Youtube TV

the occasional Prime and/or Peacock I can manage - not having BTN is a deal killer
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: SFBadger96 on January 20, 2026, 02:56:43 PM
I'm currently paying $80.99 (ha ha!) for those channels on Sling. But I'm about to drop the ESPN part (I think).
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on January 20, 2026, 03:05:17 PM
hmmm, I an used to youtube and like how it works.  I'm obviously all about saving $$$, but not sure if it's worth $2/month to switch

$5/month, yup
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on January 20, 2026, 03:12:18 PM
Something like $12.50 for Prime, but it's charged annually, though I think that's about what it comes out to.
I've said it before, but unless you literally don't buy anything else from Amazon, you really can't state that it's $12.50 (or whatever) per month for Prime Video. 

I'm an Amazon Prime subscriber because of how many things I order and they're on my doorstep either between 4-8 AM the next day or slightly later the next day. I was a Prime subscriber for years before I think I even installed the app. 

I view Amazon Prime Video as a nice add-on to my Prime subscription, not the driving force. So maybe now that I DO use it, I could say that $2-3 per month of Prime is being "spent" on Prime Video... But I also know that if they stopped doing Prime Video, I wouldn't stop being a Prime member...

It would be like if Costco suddenly unveiled a streaming service. Would that mean I'm spending $130/year on "Costco Video"? No... It means that of the $130/year I spend on Costco, I just got an extra video service on top of what I was already enjoying. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: SFBadger96 on January 20, 2026, 03:40:29 PM
It would be like if Costco suddenly unveiled a streaming service. Would that mean I'm spending $130/year on "Costco Video"? No... It means that of the $130/year I spend on Costco, I just got an extra video service on top of what I was already enjoying.

OMG. That would be sooooo awesome. C'mon Kirkland--get to it!
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on January 20, 2026, 03:53:42 PM
OMG. That would be sooooo awesome. C'mon Kirkland--get to it!
But you have to watch in bulk. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on January 20, 2026, 03:55:22 PM
But you have to watch in bulk.
There's only two of us here.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: SFBadger96 on January 20, 2026, 04:25:44 PM
I can leave the TV on in the background, muted.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on January 20, 2026, 04:31:38 PM
my tv hasn't been on since the game ended last night

I buy less than a dozen things per year on Amazon - usually right before Christmas
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on January 20, 2026, 05:00:10 PM
I've said it before, but unless you literally don't buy anything else from Amazon, you really can't state that it's $12.50 (or whatever) per month for Prime Video.  

I completely agree, and I personally don't view the $12.50/mo. as a TV expense.

But I was answering FF, and I assume his elderly ass doesn't have an Amazon subscription because he probably likes to mosey on down to the feed store to buy his junk in person, dammit.  

His latest comment may have corroborated my assumption.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on January 20, 2026, 05:03:50 PM
Since coming back to work after the Christmas/New Year's break......I've actually had to work at work, a lot.  

They don't seem to know I got threads here to keep up with.  

Grumpy.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on January 20, 2026, 05:36:24 PM
see the union steward :96: 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on January 20, 2026, 05:37:16 PM
see the union steward :96:
The WHO?
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on January 20, 2026, 05:38:14 PM
I think he works for the government
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MrNubbz on January 20, 2026, 08:15:13 PM
Since coming back to work after the Christmas/New Year's break......I've actually had to work at work, a lot. 

They don't seem to know I got threads here to keep up with. 

https://youtu.be/l8ukak8P2vY
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on January 22, 2026, 10:14:21 AM
Our Amazon account was apparently hacked, as we learned that someone had purchased a watch for $788 and had it delivered to the Houston area.  Resetting the password and disputing the charge with the credit card company was pretty quick and painless, but just idea of the whole thing and having to deal with it after we're getting home from work, and tired, and trying to enjoy some supper, made me grumpy.  They canceled the card and will ship a new one within five business days, so, no Amazon purchases til then.  

1)  I'm really familiar with my wife's internet activity, and mine even more so, obviously, and I can't think of how the password got compromised, other than a data breach with Amazon itself.  It doesn't surprise me when small/local businesses suffer data breaches, but I kinda expect better from Amazon.  Of all companies, they should have the best and the brightest in security, I'd think.  Yet, my stepson's Amazon account was compromised in a data breach just last year.  Makes me wonder how common this is for them.  Or if it's not that, where did one of us fall victim to a phishing scheme?  Mysteries like that bug me, because if I don't know what went wrong, I can't take better precautions in the future.  

2)  The delivery address on the fraudulent purchase is right there.  I've never known a credit card company to investigate fraud or turn info over to law enforcement, but then, I don't know much about how they operate.  Maybe they do.  They didn't ask any info about the fraudulent purchase, however.  It does make me want to send an anonymous letter to that address near Houston saying I know what you did and where you live.  Be looking over your shoulder.  

3)  It wasn't even a cool watch.  For nearly $800, I expect something swanky, something that looks like the product of handmade craftsmanship in Germany, or somewhere like that.  I didn't read the features on the purchase order, but the photo just looks like some kind of digital something that can track your steps and whatever.  Big deal.  Seven hundred and eighty-eight dollars???

4)  Time to learn how to set up passkeys.  I'm tired of this.  Another credit card was compromised twice last year, once was my wife's fault for something that she should have known better, and once was my fault for falling for something that I normally would never, but it happened at the exact time that a very unusual set of circumstances was going on that made the whole thing seem believable, and I fell for the phishing because of it.  I know passkeys won't stop cc compromises due to direct phishing for card info, but it should put an end to the hacking of websites with cc info stored on them.  

/Grumpy

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on January 22, 2026, 10:22:15 AM
makes me grumpy just hearing this from you

public hangings for the convicted
and worse for those that prey on the elderly & disabled 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on January 22, 2026, 10:26:45 AM
1)  I'm really familiar with my wife's internet activity, and mine even more so, obviously, and I can't think of how the password got compromised, other than a data breach with Amazon itself.  It doesn't surprise me when small/local businesses suffer data breaches, but I kinda expect better from Amazon.  Of all companies, they should have the best and the brightest in security, I'd think.  Yet, my stepson's Amazon account was compromised in a data breach just last year.  Makes me wonder how common this is for them.  Or if it's not that, where did one of us fall victim to a phishing scheme?  Mysteries like that bug me, because if I don't know what went wrong, I can't take better precautions in the future. 
Does the Amazon password get used on ANY other web sites? If so, it might be more likely that another site was hacked and they tried your (or your wife's) password and login credentials from that other site on Amazon. 

If you reuse passwords amongst multiple sites, you're only as protected as the least secure amongst them. For example, I trust that @Drew4UTk (https://www.cfb51.com/index.php?action=profile;u=1) knows his stuff regarding security, but I wouldn't share my email and banking and Amazon passwords with my cfb51.com account password. 

This is why I use LastPass to manage my passwords. I have unique and complex passwords for every site I visit, including this one. I have two passwords (my email and my bank) that are NOT stored in LastPass, only in my own head, in case somehow LastPass got hacked. Because my email specifically would be the canary in the coal mine that would alert me to someone trying to change passwords at other sites, and so email is the one thing I can't allow to be compromised. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on January 22, 2026, 10:44:45 AM
Does the Amazon password get used on ANY other web sites? If so, it might be more likely that another site was hacked and they tried your (or your wife's) password and login credentials from that other site on Amazon.

If you reuse passwords amongst multiple sites, you're only as protected as the least secure amongst them. For example, I trust that @Drew4UTk (https://www.cfb51.com/index.php?action=profile;u=1) knows his stuff regarding security, but I wouldn't share my email and banking and Amazon passwords with my cfb51.com account password.

This is why I use LastPass to manage my passwords. I have unique and complex passwords for every site I visit, including this one. I have two passwords (my email and my bank) that are NOT stored in LastPass, only in my own head, in case somehow LastPass got hacked. Because my email specifically would be the canary in the coal mine that would alert me to someone trying to change passwords at other sites, and so email is the one thing I can't allow to be compromised.

I'd have to check the pw list in my safe, because I'm bad at remembering most passwords these days, but iirc, the old password was unique, yet similar to other passwords.  

Agree about bank account password, I don't store it anywhere except on the printed list in my safe, and for all I know even that's not a good idea, but I figure if someone gets in my safe, I have bigger problems than stolen passwords.  It's the same reason I don't use or store the bank account's debit cards.  Those just sit in the safe as well until I need to go to the ATM (rare).  Banks don't tend to offer near the easy purchase-dispute protection and refunds for fraudulent activity that cc companies do.  Ours definitely doesn't.  It's the one password I do remember because I frequently use it, but I keep it on the hard list because my wife doesn't remember it and never will, and I want her to have easy access to all the passwords if something happened to me.  

I've thought about something like LastPass, but never did it.  I think at this time I'll probably just begin moving to the passkey technology.  I am resistant to new things I don't understand, because confusion feels worse than vulnerability (when no one I trust has made a personal recommendation--and I don't know anyone who currently uses passkeys), but several weeks ago I read as much as I could find on them, and though I never did get completely clear on the complicated math at the bottom of it, the general concept is pretty easy to pick up on.  As I say, I still hesitated because when I don't yet understand the brute mathematical process at the core, it's hard to adopt a technology that I don't fully understand.  But at this point I think I'd be happier trusting that it is what the easy, surface explanation says it is, and moving ahead with it.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on January 22, 2026, 11:30:35 AM
Just changed my Amazon password as it was shared with a couple of other sites.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: SFBadger96 on January 22, 2026, 12:02:27 PM
A buddy who worked in the Secret Service (which, pre DHS, investigated financial crimes) in lifetimes past was frustrated that they would investigate 6-figure financial thefts, and the financial services companies (banks, etc.) that they were trying to protect treated them, the Secret Service, as a nuisance. The dollar amounts were too small for victimized financial services companies to care.

I keep wondering why the rampant fraud and phishing is so difficult to police. Someone smarter than me could probably explain it. Please feel free...

Honestly, without veering into politics (I think) if the government could prioritize that, I suspect people would care a lot more than about [name your hot-button social issue].
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on January 22, 2026, 12:47:18 PM
I assume it's up to the financial institutions to rattle the cages on the government's actions.  They're the ones enduring the loss, having to refund people like me after fraud.

What I fail to understand is why those companies don't make more noise.  I read from multiple sources that they endure billions in costs per year due to fraud.  They might be huge, but even those kinds of companies have to feel it when we're talking billions.  

At any rate, soon I look for major companies--certainly the Big Tech ones--to stop with passwords and force us to use passkeys.  I could be wrong, but I predict that's the way things will move.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Drew4UTk on January 22, 2026, 05:11:59 PM
Does the Amazon password get used on ANY other web sites? If so, it might be more likely that another site was hacked and they tried your (or your wife's) password and login credentials from that other site on Amazon.

If you reuse passwords amongst multiple sites, you're only as protected as the least secure amongst them. For example, I trust that @Drew4UTk (https://www.cfb51.com/index.php?action=profile;u=1) knows his stuff regarding security, but I wouldn't share my email and banking and Amazon passwords with my cfb51.com account password.

This is why I use LastPass to manage my passwords. I have unique and complex passwords for every site I visit, including this one. I have two passwords (my email and my bank) that are NOT stored in LastPass, only in my own head, in case somehow LastPass got hacked. Because my email specifically would be the canary in the coal mine that would alert me to someone trying to change passwords at other sites, and so email is the one thing I can't allow to be compromised.

this site is pretty tight - our information goes nowhere that mother google can't see anyway, no matter what you do.  i track users insofar as geolocation, but that only to study WHERE they're from and how to go about blocking them.  its a very good thing there are few, if any, outside of CONUS who have interest in CFB... it's kinda a dead giveaway when approached from some of these nations.  

i use the multi-tiered approach, too, which is to say if it's not a very important thing I use one flavor of passkey... if it's a level up another... if they hold any kind of financial data they get the next tier... if it's a primary financial institution they get their very own.  all that said, that's usually not what get's folks access.. it's when they bust the door down and drain entire DB's of personal data - and then sell it.... those are usually skimmed for the low hanging fruit- which to them are organizations with weak systems in place such as local banks.  the harder targets are harder to get into (duh) and the hacker stands a good chance of being caught.  

i opened a business account at the bank closest to me... and online access... i literally rode the golf cart there and back to home/shop.... i received a text from them i assumed was some sort of welcome text- but it wasn't.... the account had already been breached.  i turned around and went right back up there and closed the account.  it's never happened (knock on wood) with a major institution, at least with me.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: SFBadger96 on January 22, 2026, 05:14:09 PM
I couldn't access this site when I was in New Zealand. Not that I needed to, but I did try a few times. Just wouldn't work. Don't know what that was, but I suspect it had something to do with where I was.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Drew4UTk on January 22, 2026, 06:21:52 PM
I couldn't access this site when I was in New Zealand. Not that I needed to, but I did try a few times. Just wouldn't work. Don't know what that was, but I suspect it had something to do with where I was.
i maintain a white and black list, for both country's and IP ranges.  

nothing connected to the interweb or a network for that matter is truly secure.  i get tickled with network security managers- and to anger them will say "oh you absolutely COULD secure that computer- but then YOU wouldn't have access, and that is what makes your job difficult"..... and there is a good bit of truth in that... i watched my old company struggle to keep that balance- "we want it SO secure nobody no matter who can't get in..... except for us.... we need to know what you're up to at any given minute.".... 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MrNubbz on January 22, 2026, 07:48:31 PM
Knock it off Mr Orwell
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on January 23, 2026, 08:26:33 AM
I couldn't access this site when I was in New Zealand. Not that I needed to, but I did try a few times. Just wouldn't work. Don't know what that was, but I suspect it had something to do with where I was.
Yes, I was blocked in Mexico until @Drew4UTk (https://www.cfb51.com/index.php?action=profile;u=1) let me out of jail.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on January 23, 2026, 09:07:34 AM
(https://i.imgur.com/G5hILlM.png)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: CatsbyAZ on January 24, 2026, 11:01:16 AM
(https://i.imgur.com/wVSgCtm.png)


The above post is something my brothers and I have already been discussing for a while – whether the latter half of the 20th Century will be looked back on as a highpoint of human artistry, right up there with the art of the Italian Renaissance 1400s/1500s. And there are numerous editorials wondering the same (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yv3pbxTkhKQ), and pegging the year 2007 as the last year of American entertainment’s globally dominant peak era.

By no coincidence, 2007 is the year Cell Phones became Smart Phones, the internet moved into its Social Media era, Netflix began streaming, and Reality TV went into overdrive as a response to keeping television production going during intensive labor strikes by screenwriters. Although it’s worth pointing out that Peak TV Era extended for another decade, with shows like Mad Men, Breaking Bad, and Walking Dead carrying an intellectual torch to the small screen.

This has left Hollywood, the music industry, and book publishing in the position of competing against themselves. Friends and Seinfeld reruns command more devoted audiences than currently produced sitcoms, and are even watched just as much by the younger demographic that all the advertisers chase. That, to me, is one small sign that there was more lasting creative power in the less corporate Hollywood of the 1990s than there is today.

Despite Sturgeon’s Law, I think the case can be made that entertainment was smarter, and more creative and memorable during its latter-century golden age of American entertainment.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on January 27, 2026, 07:56:05 AM
We have no heat.  Boiler down again.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on January 27, 2026, 08:46:10 AM
turn on the oven, crack the oven door and camp out in the kitchen with a hot cup of coffee
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on January 27, 2026, 08:56:39 AM
(https://i.imgur.com/40fv1hQ.png)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on January 27, 2026, 09:57:37 AM
I’m using my wife’s fake fireplace.  We went out to breakfast.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on January 27, 2026, 10:21:02 AM
Work was canceled yesterday.  Re-opened today, and got here to find Facilities (or somebody) had taken the batteries out of all the thermostats in this old building, leaving us with no heat.  My office was freezing.  Fortunately I keep a small space heater in here, and it's a small office, so with the door closed I'm able to warm it up decently.  However, I'm still wearing my big coat and my fingers are freezing.  

We put in a work order and Facilities finally got here and turned our heat back on, and it's getting a bit more work-friendly in here.  

However, there never is any heat in the abandoned side of the building where the bathrooms are, and going to the bathroom down there is not a pleasant experience this morning.  

They pull any more of this stuff and I'm going to take them at their word that this old building will be demo'd once the library renovations are complete, and start pulling apart the walls and studs and burning them for heat. 

Course.....there's asbestos in this building, so that's probably not a good idea either....
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on January 27, 2026, 10:21:53 AM
I’m using my wife’s fake fireplace.  We went out to breakfast. 
put extra hot sauce on your eggs!
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: jgvol on January 27, 2026, 10:24:08 AM
Work was canceled yesterday.  Re-opened today, and got here to find Facilities (or somebody) had taken the batteries out of all the thermostats in this old building, leaving us with no heat.  My office was freezing.  Fortunately I keep a small space heater in here, and it's a small office, so with the door closed I'm able to warm it up decently.  However, I'm still wearing my big coat and my fingers are freezing. 

We put in a work order and Facilities finally got here and turned our heat back on, and it's getting a bit more work-friendly in here. 

However, there never is any heat in the abandoned side of the building where the bathrooms are, and going to the bathroom down there is not a pleasant experience this morning. 

They pull any more of this stuff and I'm going to take them at their word that this old building will be demo'd once the library renovations are complete, and start pulling apart the walls and studs and burning them for heat.

Course.....there's asbestos in this building, so that's probably not a good idea either....

Sounds like I'd be working from home.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on January 27, 2026, 10:38:21 AM
The roads are pretty clear here this morning, but my employer went ahead and sent out a note yesterday asking everyone to work from home again today, because they can't guarantee all of the parking lots are safely cleared.  

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on January 27, 2026, 10:42:46 AM
The roads are pretty clear here this morning, but my employer went ahead and sent out a note yesterday asking everyone to work from home again today, because they can't guarantee all of the parking lots are safely cleared. 

That'd go in the Happy thread for me.  Which, my boss said we could go work from home if the heat didn't get turned back on soon (he's in the nice new building the rest of us used to be in) and not to sit around here in the cold.  But I decided to wait a bit since it's not a repair job and just putting batteries back in the thermostats, and I already took the trouble to drive in.  

Probably shoulda just left when he gave me the chance, but they did get the heat going about 9 a.m.  What I'm still trying to wrap my mind around was them taking the batteries out in the first place.  I guess they didn't want people leaving the heat way up over the weekend or something?  But damn.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Riffraft on January 27, 2026, 10:43:56 AM
It is windy with no sun here in Belize.  Really grumpy.  Actually what is making me grumpy is I can't get my pic of my feet in the sand with the ocean in the background to upload 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: SFBadger96 on January 27, 2026, 12:00:09 PM
Yeah--I tried hard to upload some New Zaland pics here and just couldn't do it. Oh well. Trust me: it is beautiful.

I'm grumpy about the sciatic nerve situation I seem to have right now. It bites.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on January 27, 2026, 12:35:14 PM
Yeah--I tried hard to upload some New Zaland pics here and just couldn't do it. Oh well. Trust me: it is beautiful.

I'm grumpy about the sciatic nerve situation I seem to have right now. It bites.
Get an MRI of the lumbar area.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MrNubbz on January 27, 2026, 02:01:09 PM
Go see the barkeep in the tavern area
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on January 27, 2026, 03:38:00 PM
Ugh. Might need a new car. 

Water pump started leaking. Ford, in their infinite wisdom, designed an internal water pump... INSIDE THE ENGINE. Which would need to have the engine removed to access. Huge expense... And that's assuming that coolant didn't get into the oil. Which would mean new motor. And it is going to need at least half a catalytic converter before next time it gets smogged. 

All told I'd be looking at cost to repair, assuming NO motor needed, probably very near the value of the vehicle. 

Apparently the only Hail Mary is to file a claim with Ford because they've been sued over this water pump issue. Mechanic has said he's seen people have success with Ford on this. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on January 27, 2026, 03:51:24 PM
Well that sucks.  I'd definitely try to file a claim againt Ford.

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Wildcat4E on January 27, 2026, 06:29:36 PM
Ugh. Might need a new car.

Water pump started leaking. Ford, in their infinite wisdom, designed an internal water pump... INSIDE THE ENGINE. Which would need to have the engine removed to access. Huge expense... And that's assuming that coolant didn't get into the oil. Which would mean new motor. And it is going to need at least half a catalytic converter before next time it gets smogged.

All told I'd be looking at cost to repair, assuming NO motor needed, probably very near the value of the vehicle.

Apparently the only Hail Mary is to file a claim with Ford because they've been sued over this water pump issue. Mechanic has said he's seen people have success with Ford on this.
That really does suck, man.

When Fords pass me on the Interstate, I often wonder if I'll pass them back as they limp to the side of the road in a few miles.

That said, I bought a GMC Sierra AT4 with the 6.2 L.  My brother in-law's (2 years newer) shot craps due to their brilliant planet-saving cylinder shut-down and resulting horrible problems.  I am probably driving a ticking time bomb myself.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on January 27, 2026, 11:44:04 PM
 Ford, in their infinite wisdom, designed an internal water pump... INSIDE THE ENGINE. 
better idea
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Riffraft on January 28, 2026, 10:13:11 AM
After 20 days on the sea going home in a couple of days. Sucks
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on January 28, 2026, 10:50:52 AM
It always sucks when a cruise comes to an end. Where all did you go? I know about the Canal.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on January 28, 2026, 10:57:55 AM
We did an 18 day a while back thinking maybe we'd get tired of it, but at the end we were ready to keep going.  So, later we did the 29 day.  I can say for both of us we were pretty much ready to be home then.  That was an interesting adventure, and we got into a definite routine in our cabin.  The excursions at times are exhausting for 147 year olds.

The 29 day cruise was a back to back, which is a neat concept I think.  It was a 14 day then a 15 day.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on January 28, 2026, 11:06:54 AM
We're doing an 18 coming up late this year.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on January 28, 2026, 11:10:10 AM
If I found an interesting 20+ day double I'd sign up again.  Looking at Argentina and Iceland/Greenland/Norway.  

My wife and I are still chatting a bit about the river cruise in Europe.

If the stock market keeps going up I might just sign up.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Riffraft on January 28, 2026, 11:37:38 AM
It always sucks when a cruise comes to an end. Where all did you go? I know about the Canal.
St Thomas san juan and Bahamas first cruise. Grand Cayman. Catagenia. Panama canal. Costa rico, Belize. Cozumel 2nd cruise 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on January 28, 2026, 11:38:35 AM
So, you went through the canal and then back?
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Riffraft on January 28, 2026, 11:44:44 AM
If I found an interesting 20+ day double I'd sign up again.  Looking at Argentina and Iceland/Greenland/Norway. 

My wife and I are still chatting a bit about the river cruise in Europe.

If the stock market keeps going up I might just sign up.
We have also been talking about a rhine-danube river boat cruise.  Wife has also mentioned iceland.  This one was a combination of friends asking us to join them and 2nd one for the canal.  Sitting right now in cozumel but not even getting off the ship.  Seen enough of Mexico.

We are renting a place on the beach in Maine for 2 months so cruising will slow down.  We plan to drive cross country to visit family and friends along the way and then travel north part of the country back and visit a bunch of national parks 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Riffraft on January 28, 2026, 11:47:41 AM
So, you went through the canal and then back?
Ship went through the first set of locks and then we got off and took  a smaller boat through the rest of the locks to the pacific and caught a bus to colon where the ship docked after going back through the Atlantic locks
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on January 28, 2026, 12:10:32 PM
Got it. That could have been an expensive two-way otherwise.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: SFBadger96 on January 28, 2026, 12:16:56 PM
We are renting a place on the beach in Maine for 2 months so cruising will slow down.  We plan to drive cross country to visit family and friends along the way and then travel north part of the country back and visit a bunch of national parks
Sounds amazing.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on January 28, 2026, 01:04:34 PM
We are renting a place on the beach in Maine for 2 months so cruising will slow down.  We plan to drive cross country to visit family and friends along the way and then travel north part of the country back and visit a bunch of national parks
Can you adopt me and then I'll come along this vacation with you?  I love Maine in the summer.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: CatsbyAZ on January 29, 2026, 10:59:04 AM
Having a Grumpy Old Man moment:


(https://i.imgur.com/CBUD3fB.png)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on January 29, 2026, 01:04:19 PM
Don't know much about either of them, but from what little I've seen of them, they've styled themselves the same way often enough for it to be understandable to mistake one for the other.  

Clothes/hair/fashion-wise, I mean.  I couldn't tell you anything about their music and if they sound alike.  

I still can't reliably tell Jessica Chastain from Bryce Dallas Howard.  utee posted a funny video about that a while back.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on January 29, 2026, 09:41:47 PM
music bingo at the brewery I just visited in North Platte, NE
the categories were country girls and sing-a-longs

guess I'm getting old

the MC was annoying (IMO)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on January 30, 2026, 08:44:31 AM
(https://i.imgur.com/NiSlNP8.png)

Grumpy that beef steak is $20/lb - choice!
pork loin is the obvious bargain
brats & ground beef over $4.50/lb

and this is a sale price for 3 days!
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on January 30, 2026, 01:25:36 PM
This is more of a perpetual annoyance thing than a grumpy old man thing, but....

I can't stand the sound of my voice, the accent in particular.  It sounds fine to me via the bone conduction we hear ourselves with, but gratingly irritating via the usual compression waves through which we perceive sound.  (If you've ever wondered why you sound different to yourself compared to when you hear yourself played back on a recording, while everybody else says it sounds just like you, that's why.)

I have some kind of disastrous, unholy mesh of hillbilly, hick, southern, he-must-be-partially-deaf-and-probably-learning-disabled accent that just makes me sad.  I'd forgive anyone meeting me for the first time for assuming I'm mentally retarded.  I manage to forget about it, mostly, and it's never really hurt my self-confidence, but when I'm forced to hear myself, I have a lot of sympathy for friends, family, and coworkers who are afflicted constantly with the sound of my voice.  

I'm doing some software tutorial videos for faculty and staff use, and it requires me to listen to myself while checking and editing them.  It's hard to believe we don't have standards that prohibit this kind of thing.  What kind of workplace that takes itself seriously disseminates videos that make people say "Oh god, here goes that gator-humping, inbred sympathy hire again?"

I just wanna get done with these and then go another several years without having to hear me again.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: jgvol on January 30, 2026, 01:35:58 PM
This is more of a perpetual annoyance thing than a grumpy old man thing, but....

I can't stand the sound of my voice, the accent in particular.  It sounds fine to me via the bone conduction we hear ourselves with, but gratingly irritating via the usual compression waves through which we perceive sound.  (If you've ever wondered why you sound different to yourself compared to when you hear yourself played back on a recording, while everybody else says it sounds just like you, that's why.)

I have some kind of disastrous, unholy mesh of hillbilly, hick, southern, he-must-be-partially-deaf-and-probably-learning-disabled accent that just makes me sad.  I'd forgive anyone meeting me for the first time for assuming I'm mentally retarded.  I manage to forget about it, mostly, and it's never really hurt my self-confidence, but when I'm forced to hear myself, I have a lot of sympathy for friends, family, and coworkers who are afflicted constantly with the sound of my voice. 

I'm doing some software tutorial videos for faculty and staff use, and it requires me to listen to myself while checking and editing them.  It's hard to believe we don't have standards that prohibit this kind of thing.  What kind of workplace that takes itself seriously disseminates videos that make people say "Oh god, here goes that gator-humping, inbred sympathy hire again?"

I just wanna get done with these and then go another several years without having to hear me again. 

I am always stunned when I hear my recorded voice.  I'm quite aware that I'm no Rhodes Scholar, but I  sound like a Kuntry bumpkin, from BFE.  I think I'm more intelligent than I sound.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on January 30, 2026, 02:53:55 PM
I don't sound like a country bumpkin and don't have a strong accent of any type. Occasionally there's a very light Chicago accent, but growing up out in the suburbs I never picked a strong one up. And as weak as it was 25 years ago when I left, it's softened even since then. 

But I can't stand the tone. I don't know if it's real, but somehow I hear a "nasal" quality to it that I absolutely hate. 

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on January 30, 2026, 03:43:33 PM
I am always stunned when I hear my recorded voice.  I'm quite aware that I'm no Rhodes Scholar, but I  sound like a Kuntry bumpkin, from BFE.  I think I'm more intelligent than I sound.
Well...

:)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on January 30, 2026, 03:45:42 PM
I don't sound like a country bumpkin and don't have a strong accent of any type. Occasionally there's a very light Chicago accent, but growing up out in the suburbs I never picked a strong one up. And as weak as it was 25 years ago when I left, it's softened even since then.

But I can't stand the tone. I don't know if it's real, but somehow I hear a "nasal" quality to it that I absolutely hate.


That's a Midwest thing, but I don't have it, thankfully.

No Chicago accent either, being from the NW side/burbs and all.

Dat's more of a Sout Side Ting.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on January 30, 2026, 07:32:58 PM
A bird crashed into my window today. I opened the door, and it was just lying on it's back twitching on the porch. All of a sudden another bird of the same species swooped in, grabbed it up, and flew off with it. 

I didn't know that they did that. 

I think they were doves. Both were fully grown. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on January 31, 2026, 10:57:26 AM
cannibal doves make me grumpy
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on January 31, 2026, 01:35:26 PM
Have you ever heard something come out of someone's mouth and it just makes you astounded that someone would say/think that out loud? 

A woman my wife knows--mind you that I put it that way to alert you that she was neither a friend or even a social acquaintance, because when you hear what she said, you'll know I wouldn't voluntarily associate with such a person--overheard her talking about the issues we have with the Flex. Our plan is to sell it off at this point for a song to one of those "we buy cars" places because it's basically a total loss given the cost of repair and the value of the vehicle. 

She said... 

Don't you know anyone who could "steal" it and then go crash it somewhere? 

Uhh, no. No. Hell no. Such an idea isn't something that would ever enter my head, and if it did, I'd chide myself for even thinking it. 

WTF is wrong with people?!?!
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on January 31, 2026, 01:36:55 PM
Have you ever heard something come out of someone's mouth and it just makes you astounded that someone would say/think that out loud?

A woman my wife knows--mind you that I put it that way to alert you that she was neither a friend or even a social acquaintance, because when you hear what she said, you'll know I wouldn't voluntarily associate with such a person--overheard her talking about the issues we have with the Flex. Our plan is to sell it off at this point for a song to one of those "we buy cars" places because it's basically a total loss given the cost of repair and the value of the vehicle.

She said...

Don't you know anyone who could "steal" it and then go crash it somewhere?

Uhh, no. No. Hell no. Such an idea isn't something that would ever enter my head, and if it did, I'd chide myself for even thinking it.

WTF is wrong with people?!?!

I used to know a few people who did that stuff for a living.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on January 31, 2026, 01:40:21 PM
on the south side

I'm gonna guess the lady is blonde
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on January 31, 2026, 01:52:14 PM
West side.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on January 31, 2026, 01:52:49 PM
I'm gonna guess the lady is blonde
Not going to get deeper into the demographic.

However I will say that she is as dumb as a box of rocks. Just disappointing that she's both dumb AND unethical. 

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on January 31, 2026, 01:58:54 PM
ya gotta be a certain amount of dumb to consider something that unethical that could very well come back to bite ya
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: CatsbyAZ on January 31, 2026, 02:07:36 PM
She said...

Don't you know anyone who could "steal" it and then go crash it somewhere?

Uhh, no. No. Hell no. Such an idea isn't something that would ever enter my head, and if it did, I'd chide myself for even thinking it.

WTF is wrong with people?!?!

My reaction would be to laugh out loud as though she is joking, then continue to laugh to embed it in my brain that she *is* joking. Then in another ten years when wide awake at 3am it hits me - she wasn't joking!

I will admit, yes, I have known people that stupid on a first name basis. However, they disappeared from my life once I completely stopped hanging out in dive bars.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on January 31, 2026, 02:51:40 PM
that's part of the charm of dive bars
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Gigem on February 01, 2026, 08:55:53 AM
This is more of a perpetual annoyance thing than a grumpy old man thing, but....

I can't stand the sound of my voice, the accent in particular.  It sounds fine to me via the bone conduction we hear ourselves with, but gratingly irritating via the usual compression waves through which we perceive sound.  (If you've ever wondered why you sound different to yourself compared to when you hear yourself played back on a recording, while everybody else says it sounds just like you, that's why.)

I have some kind of disastrous, unholy mesh of hillbilly, hick, southern, he-must-be-partially-deaf-and-probably-learning-disabled accent that just makes me sad.  I'd forgive anyone meeting me for the first time for assuming I'm mentally retarded.  I manage to forget about it, mostly, and it's never really hurt my self-confidence, but when I'm forced to hear myself, I have a lot of sympathy for friends, family, and coworkers who are afflicted constantly with the sound of my voice. 

I'm doing some software tutorial videos for faculty and staff use, and it requires me to listen to myself while checking and editing them.  It's hard to believe we don't have standards that prohibit this kind of thing.  What kind of workplace that takes itself seriously disseminates videos that make people say "Oh god, here goes that gator-humping, inbred sympathy hire again?"

I just wanna get done with these and then go another several years without having to hear me again. 
Same. I bet my accent makes yours sound sophisticated. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on February 01, 2026, 09:24:46 AM
buncha hayseeds.

Over the phone or on conference calls, people usually guess that I'm from California.  It's offensive. ;)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MrNubbz on February 01, 2026, 10:48:54 AM
I think they were doves. Both were fully grown.
You don't know what they look like? Or were you peering thru beer goggles
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MrNubbz on February 01, 2026, 10:50:27 AM
buncha hayseeds.

Over the phone or on conference calls, people usually guess that I'm from California.  It's offensive. ;)
Prolly shouldn't chime in with "for sure,for sure" when concluding business - that could be problematic
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on February 01, 2026, 12:17:46 PM
Cali people say "right" after a making a statement. As in a whole lot.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Honestbuckeye on February 01, 2026, 02:04:15 PM
Cali people say "right" after a making a statement. As in a whole lot.
🤮
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on February 01, 2026, 07:29:45 PM
You don't know what they look like? Or were you peering thru beer goggles
They looked like doves, but I'm not an ornithologist. 

I think mama bird crashed out, and papa bird flew it back to the nest in hopes of a full recovery. Seeds and feathers everywhere.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on February 01, 2026, 07:34:24 PM
Did they cry?
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on February 01, 2026, 07:35:34 PM
No idea what accent I have, but everyone always guesses somewhere far away. People in Ohio thought I was from Montana, in Vermont they thought I was from the deep south, in the South they think I'm Canadian, and out west they think I'm from Brooklyn NY.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on February 02, 2026, 10:19:43 AM
I haven't been to California in some years, but in my trips out there, a few people looked visibly jarred out of whatever they were thinking about and then commented "You're not from around here, are you?"  

Alternatively, once while walking in Manhattan a guy told me he could tell I wasn't from the city just by the way I was walking down the street.  He then asked me where I was from and then told me a lot of locals are scared poopless of Southerners.  He'd never been anywhere in the South, but I guess the stereotypes did him in.  He agreed he would not mug me and try to take my wallet, and I agreed I would not do terrible, violent, swamp things to him, and we had a good laugh.  I liked that guy, as brief as our meeting was.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on February 02, 2026, 10:31:34 AM
No idea what accent I have, but everyone always guesses somewhere far away. People in Ohio thought I was from Montana, in Vermont they thought I was from the deep south, in the South they think I'm Canadian, and out west they think I'm from Brooklyn NY.
I've got a coworker that I was always trying to place his accent... It was British, to be sure, but then it wasn't... It was odd. 

We were out at a customer dinner one night and he said during his childhood he lived in Britain, Ohio, Texas, and then California. 

It immediately made sense. His accent was that of a Limey Newscaster Cowboy Surfer :57:
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on February 02, 2026, 11:19:14 AM
Every year I can't remember what I did with my Saturdays and Sundays when there's no football.  It's like there's a vacuum, and for some reason I can never recall how I spend my down time once football gets through.  

I thought the Pro Bowl game used to be the Sunday before the SB, no?  It's sometime in the evening this week, I think.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on February 02, 2026, 11:39:28 AM
So called service dogs.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on February 02, 2026, 11:45:36 AM
So called service dogs. 
Lots of mofo's down here buy these things. I hate those people (and that's a lot of people).

They don't give a shit about anyone else, or people like me who are allergic to dogs.

I wouldn't want a hairy naked man who doesn't wipe his ass sitting on my couch and I certainly don't want to dine with one.

F these people.


(https://i.imgur.com/2QID4y2.png)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Wildcat4E on February 02, 2026, 12:03:01 PM
They looked like doves, but I'm not an ornithologist.

I think mama bird crashed out, and papa bird flew it back to the nest in hopes of a full recovery. Seeds and feathers everywhere.
I believe doves mate for life.

Kinda sweet and sad at the same time.

No-fault divorce hasn't been implemented, and 'til death do us part still means something in that little part of the animal kingdom.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on February 02, 2026, 05:34:34 PM
my daughter (and her roommates) wanted a cat in their college dorm - so she asked the doctor to give her a note or something

I just shook my head  - :96:
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Riffraft on February 02, 2026, 05:45:41 PM
my daughter (and her roommates) wanted a cat in their college dorm - so she asked the doctor to give her a note or something

I just shook my head  - :96:
I know a number of people who have gotten notes so they could have an animal in dorms, rentals, etc.  Typical unintended consequence of the ADA
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on February 02, 2026, 06:14:56 PM
emotional support
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on February 02, 2026, 06:46:32 PM
I've got a coworker that I was always trying to place his accent... It was British, to be sure, but then it wasn't... It was odd.

We were out at a customer dinner one night and he said during his childhood he lived in Britain, Ohio, Texas, and then California.

It immediately made sense. His accent was that of a Limey Newscaster Cowboy Surfer :57:

I think that's it. As a kid I loved in Virginia, Vermont, Missouri, Utah and Ohio. All by age 10. 
So Virginia and possibly Missouri would explain the "southern," Vermont the "NY/Canadian," and Utah the "Montana."
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on February 03, 2026, 10:23:35 AM
I previously mentioned the credit card fraud on a card linked to our Amazon account.  The bank stated they were doing an investigation (though they immediately refunded the fraudulent purchase) and emailed me that they had a statement about their findings available on their website.  Which it wasn't, when I logged in.  Weird. 

In the meantime, Amazon emailed us to say they were doing an investigation, and also have locked us out of our account, with no date for when it will be accessible again.  Can't get into the Amazon or Prime Video app on our phones or computers.  Can't see when current orders will get here, can't make any new orders, can't watch anything.  The Firestick let us log in, thankfully, not sure why, though I bet we can't rent/buy any movies from Prime (but we haven't tried).  

I don't get locking us out of the account when we're not contesting any more fraud.  We changed the password when it happened.  And I don't get not giving us a timeframe for when we can access the account again.  

I might have to remember how I bought stuff in the old days.  In the meantime, I'm about to start pro-rating this time off of our annual subscription....see how they like some angry emails about that.  I'm about to turn into a Derran (male Karen).  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on February 03, 2026, 03:39:58 PM
With the dead Flex, that means that I need to put the soft top back on the Jeep to potentially deal with weather/etc, and for driving kids around. So I had to pull the thing down from the rafters in the garage, hose down several years worth of accumulated dust, reinstall the heavy top, and then remember how to put the damn windows back in. 

But given that I don't know how long it will take me to select and find a replacement for the Flex, it was a necessity. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on February 03, 2026, 03:42:32 PM
You don't do a ton of miles, so maybe leasing is the way to go?
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on February 03, 2026, 04:13:41 PM
You don't do a ton of miles, so maybe leasing is the way to go?
I generally am anti-lease. The way I understand leasing is:


I figure I'd be smarter to buy new, and if I want something different in 3 years, then just sell it private party for likely more than the residual. I'd be eating the depreciation, but assuming the value of the car is higher than the residual (plus whatever additional I paid over the difference), it's still a better deal.

But as you point out, I think it's even smarter than either to buy used (poss. CPO), and let some other poor schlub cover the depreciation for me. 

IMHO the only people who should lease are those who can make it work tax-wise. I.e. they own a small business and the business leases the vehicle, while they drive it daily. The business calls it an expense, so it's paid for out of pre-tax income. Whereas if they paid themselves the money directly and bought or leased a vehicle, they're paying for it with after-tax money--with it being essentially at whatever their marginal (highest) bracket is b/c it's foregone income vs earned income if the business does it. 

That's not me. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on February 03, 2026, 04:19:29 PM
I've considered the 5-year very low miles leases. I probably drive 3000 miles per year, so 20,000 would probably cover me.

But I think I'd still rather go CPO.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on February 03, 2026, 04:30:50 PM
Yeah, ultimately with CPO you'll probably spend a lot more than you would with the lease, but you'll end up with an absurdly low-mile asset at the end of the 5 years, worth enough to sell quite handsomely...
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on February 03, 2026, 04:58:03 PM
I previously mentioned the credit card fraud on a card linked to our Amazon account.  The bank stated they were doing an investigation (though they immediately refunded the fraudulent purchase) and emailed me that they had a statement about their findings available on their website.  Which it wasn't, when I logged in.  Weird.

In the meantime, Amazon emailed us to say they were doing an investigation, and also have locked us out of our account, with no date for when it will be accessible again.  Can't get into the Amazon or Prime Video app on our phones or computers.  Can't see when current orders will get here, can't make any new orders, can't watch anything.  The Firestick let us log in, thankfully, not sure why, though I bet we can't rent/buy any movies from Prime (but we haven't tried). 

I don't get locking us out of the account when we're not contesting any more fraud.  We changed the password when it happened.  And I don't get not giving us a timeframe for when we can access the account again. 

I might have to remember how I bought stuff in the old days.  In the meantime, I'm about to start pro-rating this time off of our annual subscription....see how they like some angry emails about that.  I'm about to turn into a Derran (male Karen). 
can't ya simply close the account and open a new account?
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Riffraft on February 03, 2026, 10:14:27 PM
I generally am anti-lease. The way I understand leasing is:

  • You "buy" a car--or the rights to a car--for 3 years.
  • Your payments over the term will exceed the total purchase price of the car minus the residual. The residual is going to be slightly LOWER than the expected depreciation to remove risk from the dealer. 
  • If you've done anything the dealer doesn't like (go over miles, any damage they consider enough to charge you for), you're forced to shell out more money or buy it at the cost of the residual. If the latter, you're [most likely] financing it so now you're paying more than the residual over the course of the finance term.
  • If you are able to just turn it back in, the dealer now sells it at a profit because the market price is above the residual. Even better if they can CPO it and charge another slight premium.

I figure I'd be smarter to buy new, and if I want something different in 3 years, then just sell it private party for likely more than the residual. I'd be eating the depreciation, but assuming the value of the car is higher than the residual (plus whatever additional I paid over the difference), it's still a better deal.

But as you point out, I think it's even smarter than either to buy used (poss. CPO), and let some other poor schlub cover the depreciation for me.

IMHO the only people who should lease are those who can make it work tax-wise. I.e. they own a small business and the business leases the vehicle, while they drive it daily. The business calls it an expense, so it's paid for out of pre-tax income. Whereas if they paid themselves the money directly and bought or leased a vehicle, they're paying for it with after-tax money--with it being essentially at whatever their marginal (highest) bracket is b/c it's foregone income vs earned income if the business does it.

That's not me.

I always lease.  If you lease from them again they generally do not care if you are over mileage and small minor issues.  Never have to pay for a repair and maintenance. Only cost is lease and gas.  Easy to budget.

When the marketing went out of control during covid. I sold the csr abd lease to a third party at a profit and took out another lease.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on February 04, 2026, 12:48:58 PM
can't ya simply close the account and open a new account?

Closing the Amazon account would be a more nuclear option than what's warranted.  We'd lose my wife's various wishlists, purchasing history (which comes in handier than you'd think, due to re-purchases of continually consumed items, for example, vitamins she makes me take....I don't have to remember the brand or particulars...Amazon remembers all that for me).  My stepson and his gf also use the account, and they'd have to re-add their credit cards.  And all our digital movie purchases and playlists and preferences would get blown up.  And we'd probably have to re-log into every app within the Firestick, which is a bit of a hassle.  

Anyway, they re-opened access to the account, which I guess should go in the Happy thread.  Amazon "concluded their investigation" and determined, yes, it was fraud, and suggested we contact the credit card company.

Um....thanks, Amazon.  We knew that.  And presumably, it was the credit card company who contacted Amazon about fraud, because we sure didn't, so they already know about it.  Safeguarding the credit card account was move #1.  Silly Amazon.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Gigem on February 04, 2026, 03:07:03 PM
OK Youse Grumpy Old Men.  Now that I'm 50, I need to probably see a Dr. and get some stuff checked out.  

What all do you old bastages recommend?  Physical, bloodwork, prostrate?  What else?  I did have a colonoscopy done about 3 or so years ago (friend of mine died from cancer he told me to get checked before he passed).  

Another friend, almost my age ('75er) went and had routine bloodwork done, discovered his PSA through the roof, bad prostrate cancer.  Spread to his bones. He's doing the treatment thing at MDA (long way from KS), and essentially they eliminated the PC, but it will be in his bones forever, and he has to do treatments forever.  

Another really good friend from HS days had routine bloodwork done, found out his something or other levels were off the chart, found out he had tumor blockage in his liver bile duct.  Best I can remember.  Very early, they caught it and removed it.  Doing chemo now, but seems like he should be OK.  We're about a week apart in age, both Dec '75.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on February 04, 2026, 04:36:35 PM
see a good Doc that you trust - take all the tests that he/she recommends

don't put it off another year or two - good luck!
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on February 04, 2026, 04:59:43 PM
Annual physical, with bloodwork. Including whatever your doctor wants. 

Due to reasons, I ended up not seeing a doctor between before COVID and last year. Thankfully there was nothing bad in my labs. But having gone 5ish years without labs, I'll admit feeling pretty worried what was going to show up...
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Gigem on February 04, 2026, 05:00:18 PM
Whenever I go to the Dr. for various ailments over the years it always amazes me how much actual paperwork they have you fill out.  I would have figured by now it would all be some kind of i-pad or even an app you download to the phone.  I realize that there are many older patients (hello boomer) that wouldn't know how to do that like my mom, but for the other 85% of people it's just another day in the life of 20xx.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Gigem on February 04, 2026, 05:04:11 PM
Annual physical, with bloodwork. Including whatever your doctor wants.

Due to reasons, I ended up not seeing a doctor between before COVID and last year. Thankfully there was nothing bad in my labs. But having gone 5ish years without labs, I'll admit feeling pretty worried what was going to show up...
We used to do labs at my corporate job (working in a chemical plant with lots of carcinogens).  So about every 3 or so years they would do the entire physical checkup, take blood, etc.  Now I've been working a strictly office job for about 5-6 years, I really haven't had much done.  

I live next to a medium size town (30Kish), and we have a lot of Dr's in that town, but I sort of despise a few....ethnicities of Dr's.  It's not that I'm entirely racist, I just have such a hard time understanding a lot of them.  That being said, it's either that particular ethnicity, or a really old man that has got to be 70+ and you wonder how long he's going to be doing this.  I actually saw this particular Dr. years ago for something else, so I do have some history there.    
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on February 04, 2026, 05:08:23 PM
git yerself a young female doc that you can understand ;)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Riffraft on February 04, 2026, 07:29:28 PM
annual visit to the dr.  Everything checked including prostrate. All the blood work, cholesterol, liver enzymes, sugar, etc.
See a cardiologist annually even though I don't have any issues.
See a Dermatogist annually even though I don't have any issues.
Every 5 years a colonoscopy/endoscopy without any issues so far (father had colon cancer)
I have glaucoma (because I got check out regularly it was caught very early and have lost almost no eye sight), occasional gout attack and slightly elevated cholesterol, all of which I take drops or pills.
also take a low dose aspirin, zyrtec, Multivitamin, 500iu Vitamin E and 1000mg vitamin C.

I figure getting everything checked out regularly and doing preventative things I should continue to be able to do the things I want to do. If something ever does show up, shouldn't be too far advanced. If I could convince insurance I need a full body scan annually I would do that. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on February 05, 2026, 09:44:38 AM
see a good Doc that you trust - take all the tests that he/she recommends

don't put it off another year or two - good luck!

This.

At the risk of sounding snarky and adversarial, find a good primary doctor and do the things they ask you to do.  Much better than asking a bunch of us non-doctors our recommendations.  Any good doctor is going to immediately know based on your history and current physical conditions what tests and screenings you should do.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on February 05, 2026, 09:46:44 AM
I have a female APRN. I like APRN vs. MD/DO for primary care.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on February 05, 2026, 09:55:19 AM
I live next to a medium size town (30Kish), and we have a lot of Dr's in that town, but I sort of despise a few....ethnicities of Dr's.  It's not that I'm entirely racist, I just have such a hard time understanding a lot of them.  That being said, it's either that particular ethnicity, or a really old man that has got to be 70+ and you wonder how long he's going to be doing this.  I actually saw this particular Dr. years ago for something else, so I do have some history there.   

When I worked at Mrs. DeLonghorn's clinic, we had a handful of patients who wouldn't see specialists for that very reason.  Fact is, we don't have a ton of Caucasian specialists in our area.  Or maybe I should say that many of the ones who are "white" are still foreign.  One guy wouldn't see Pain Management because he didn't think the doctor would treat him.  One lady wouldn't proceed with a needful heart procedure with a cardiologist because she thought the doctor was a Muslim and would "let her die on the table."  (I can't say I know that particular doctor personally, but judging by his name and bio I'm pretty sure he's Hispanic, and probably Catholic, if anything.)  This is despite the fact these doctors have good reputations in our area and are specialists that both our providers trusted and routinely used.  

These patients were very stupid.  And maybe dead now.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Gigem on February 05, 2026, 10:18:49 AM
When I worked at Mrs. DeLonghorn's clinic, we had a handful of patients who wouldn't see specialists for that very reason.  Fact is, we don't have a ton of Caucasian specialists in our area.  Or maybe I should say that many of the ones who are "white" are still foreign.  One guy wouldn't see Pain Management because he didn't think the doctor would treat him.  One lady wouldn't proceed with a needful heart procedure with a cardiologist because she thought the doctor was a Muslim and would "let her die on the table."  (I can't say I know that particular doctor personally, but judging by his name and bio I'm pretty sure he's Hispanic, and probably Catholic, if anything.)  This is despite the fact these doctors have good reputations in our area and are specialists that both our providers trusted and routinely used. 

These patients were very stupid.  And maybe dead now. 
Maybe I came across wrong, I just prefer a Dr. that speaks "American", and preferably "Texican", no matter what ethnicity or color they are.  

I know your wife is in the medical biz, and maybe even a Dr., so I hope you didn't think I was being a dick.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on February 05, 2026, 10:24:50 AM
These patients were very stupid.  And maybe dead now. 
Charles Darwin did some early work in this field
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on February 05, 2026, 12:09:14 PM
Maybe I came across wrong, I just prefer a Dr. that speaks "American", and preferably "Texican", no matter what ethnicity or color they are. 

I know your wife is in the medical biz, and maybe even a Dr., so I hope you didn't think I was being a dick. 

Nah, I didn't think you were being a dick.  I think that's probably the hangup most of our patients had, even if they couldn't articulate it well.  

But nationally, and definitely in our area, doctors are increasingly not American and being imported from other countries, and English isn't their first language.  All the ones I know or have been to here still speak very good English, even if they have an accent.  Nothing that would put me off, but that's just me, YMMV.  

I just would reiterate that the main thing is that they're a good doctor with a good reputation.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on February 06, 2026, 12:36:30 PM
Tow truck just took my Ford Flex away for the buyer. :'(
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on February 06, 2026, 01:03:34 PM
Tow truck just took my Ford Flex away for the buyer. :'(
That should be in the happy thread.

Did you buy this yet?


(https://i.imgur.com/LdNBPZv.png)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on February 06, 2026, 01:08:22 PM
That should be in the happy thread.

Did you buy this yet?


(https://i.imgur.com/LdNBPZv.png)
That is actually the rare, attractive Euro SUV.  Most of them are small, goofy, ugly, humpy-looking little things.

G-wagons are manly.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on February 06, 2026, 01:34:03 PM
And ugly 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on February 06, 2026, 01:40:03 PM
And $195K.

That's an @Honestbuckeye (https://www.cfb51.com/index.php?action=profile;u=37) vehicle right there.

:)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on February 06, 2026, 01:42:07 PM
My Brit pal over in PB Gardens just got one of these last year. Nice ride.

(https://i.imgur.com/o90oliE.png)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on February 06, 2026, 01:43:44 PM
And ugly
Nah they're cool.

THIS type of bulljive is ugly af.


(https://i.imgur.com/NABk7J5.png)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on February 06, 2026, 01:45:21 PM
And $195K.

That's an @Honestbuckeye (https://www.cfb51.com/index.php?action=profile;u=37) vehicle right there.

:)
Ha!  YOU'RE the one that posted it to begin with! :)


The Range Rover is okay.  Better than most Euro SUVs. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on February 06, 2026, 01:49:49 PM
That's the coupe version of the GLE, and yes, it's ugly. I like the regular ones. 

Thinking about picking up a 2022 for the wife. Driving her Equinox is not like driving my Benz, and I drive hers too much.

(https://i.imgur.com/1brhJWL.png)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on February 06, 2026, 01:50:33 PM
Ha!  YOU'RE the one that posted it to begin with! :)

I posted it to help B.R.A.D. with sound advice.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on February 06, 2026, 01:51:29 PM
That's the coupe version of the GLE, and yes, it's ugly. I like the regular ones.

Thinking about picking up a 2022 for the wife. Driving her Equinox is not like driving my Benz, and I drive hers too much.

(https://i.imgur.com/1brhJWL.png)

Still way too humpy for me.  But if it makes you and the wife happy, then make it so!

I like larger and more squared off vehicles.  The new Toyota Landcruiser is pretty good looking IMO.


(https://i.imgur.com/DMbvxTS.png)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on February 06, 2026, 01:52:25 PM
The Lexus upgrade looks pretty much the same.

You must like the Escalades.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on February 06, 2026, 01:55:05 PM
I'd rather have the big suburban 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on February 06, 2026, 01:56:40 PM
That's boxy too.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on February 06, 2026, 01:57:19 PM
The Lexus upgrade looks pretty much the same.

You must like the Escalades.
Yeah the Tahoe/Yukon/Escalades look pretty good again.  There was a period where they were getting too "bubbly" and "humpy" but they're back to being more squared off and I like that.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on February 06, 2026, 01:58:02 PM
Yup, I'll just drive my pickup 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on February 06, 2026, 01:59:27 PM
Yup, I'll just drive my pickup
I'd take an SUV over a pickup for towing, in a heartbeat, if any of them could manage the task. 

Bring back 3/4 ton Suburbans please!

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on February 06, 2026, 02:01:38 PM
Takes longer to warm up the cabin in the suburban when it's below zero.   And ya can't load the golf cart in the back 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on February 06, 2026, 02:02:50 PM
Below zero.  Ha!

But anyway that's what fancy new remote start and all that jazz is built for.   You live in a small town, what's the hurry?
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on February 06, 2026, 02:07:01 PM
Gas is cheap but not that cheap 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on February 06, 2026, 02:08:36 PM
That should be in the happy thread.

Did you buy this yet?
Well it might be happy if it weren't forced on me by circumstances... I really hoped to get at least another year and a half out of it, as 2 of 3 kids will be out of HS at that point and the youngest will then only be a year out from driving herself. 

But the good thing is that the guy who rear-ended me paid me out of pocket to avoid going through insurance based on the estimate, and I hadn't repaired it yet. So while I didn't get much selling a 100K+ car with multiple mechanical issues and body damage, that is effectively part of the sale price in my mind.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on February 06, 2026, 02:10:32 PM
That is actually the rare, attractive Euro SUV.  Most of them are small, goofy, ugly, humpy-looking little things.

G-wagons are manly.

Manly? 

Then why is it that the only people I ever see driving them are rich pretentious white ladies? 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on February 06, 2026, 02:11:18 PM
I posted it to help B.R.A.D. with sound advice.
Sound advice? Spending that amount of money on a G-wagon when I'm still trying to get myself ready to buy a house is sound advice?
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on February 06, 2026, 02:15:10 PM
(https://i.imgur.com/XYT0SGA.png)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on February 06, 2026, 02:41:50 PM
Manly?

Then why is it that the only people I ever see driving them are rich pretentious white ladies?

Honestly I never see anyone driving them here, male or female.  Couldn't tell you the last time I saw a G-Wagon in the wild in Central Texas.

In the movies it's always Russian gangsters that drive them, so maybe we're lacking in that particular criminal element?
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on February 06, 2026, 02:46:03 PM
Yeah, the G-wagon is the car of rich Newport Beach ladies here. 

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on February 06, 2026, 02:49:20 PM
Rich ladies here drive F150 Raptors.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on February 06, 2026, 02:50:39 PM
I see them quite often here. Usually driven my men.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on February 06, 2026, 02:57:35 PM
Interesting. The Raptor here is a very male-dominated demo as far as I can tell. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on February 06, 2026, 03:00:37 PM
Interesting. The Raptor here is a very male-dominated demo as far as I can tell.
I was sort of kidding.  Although I do know one lady who drives a Raptor.

I honestly couldn't tell you what rich ladies drive here.  I don't know any.

Well-off soccer moms drive Range Rovers and Escalades and Yukon Denalis.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on February 06, 2026, 03:06:43 PM
Starting to see more Cybertrucks. Makes me grumpy.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: jgvol on February 06, 2026, 03:09:15 PM
My wife has a 4Runner but is salivating for the new Sequoia.  They definitely look better than they used to.

(https://i.imgur.com/lfWWRzj.png)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on February 06, 2026, 03:13:43 PM
Starting to see more Cybertrucks. Makes me grumpy.
There's a part of me that thought that after I saw lots and lots and LOTS (this is OC after all) of Cybertrucks, I would get used to them. 

Nope. They look as stupid as they did on day 1. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on February 06, 2026, 03:20:09 PM
Starting to see more Cybertrucks. Makes me grumpy.
I'm actually seeing fewer and fewer of them.

All of the left-leaning EV folks that bought them either out of a true concern for the environment, or for reasons of virtue-signaling (and there are definitely some of both kind around here), have now turned agaist Elon and are ditching all of their Teslas, Cybertruck included.

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on February 06, 2026, 03:29:54 PM
I think that California has progressed in the EV adoption curve such that it's not a "virtue signaling" measure nor a marker of someone that leans left. 

They're just cars with an alternative powertrain, not a political statement. While this might be a left-leaning state, this is also Orange County, a red[dish] outlier county. And yet you can't swing a dead cat without hitting a Tesla 'round here. 

That said, I do see a TON of Tesla cars with various anti-Elon stickers or other stuff on them. So buying the car but trying to separate yourself from the stigma is definitely a thing. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on February 06, 2026, 03:37:52 PM
I think that California has progressed in the EV adoption curve such that it's not a "virtue signaling" measure nor a marker of someone that leans left.

They're just cars with an alternative powertrain, not a political statement. While this might be a left-leaning state, this is also Orange County, a red[dish] outlier county. And yet you can't swing a dead cat without hitting a Tesla 'round here.

That said, I do see a TON of Tesla cars with various anti-Elon stickers or other stuff on them. So buying the car but trying to separate yourself from the stigma is definitely a thing.

Yeah Texas clearly isn't California.  Around here, the demand has dropped through the floor for Tesla vehicles.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on February 06, 2026, 03:50:02 PM
I'm actually seeing fewer and fewer of them.

All of the left-leaning EV folks that bought them either out of a true concern for the environment, or for reasons of virtue-signaling (and there are definitely some of both kind around here), have now turned agaist Elon and are ditching all of their Teslas, Cybertruck included.


I've only seen a few, but that's still too many. Maybe all the red folks around here who want an EV are buying cheap from those goofballs in Austin.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on February 06, 2026, 03:52:59 PM
I've only seen a few, but that's still too many. Maybe all the red folks around here who want an EV are buying cheap from those goofballs in Austin.
That makes both sets of folks goofy.  

I need to move further away from people.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Honestbuckeye on February 06, 2026, 05:02:50 PM
Saw a G- Wagon in this color the other day.  Shocking myself- I really liked it.  

These are fast as hell.   
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on February 09, 2026, 10:14:21 AM
Honestly I never see anyone driving them here, male or female.  Couldn't tell you the last time I saw a G-Wagon in the wild in Central Texas.

In the movies it's always Russian gangsters that drive them, so maybe we're lacking in that particular criminal element?

Oh, they're definitely there, all over the place.

One more reason nobody should move there.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on February 09, 2026, 10:18:15 AM
One addition... I guess the G-wagon isn't only for rich white ladies (https://clutchpoints.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/check-out-vanessa-bryant-amazing-799k-car-collection-with-photos)... 

I actually asked my wife and oldest about this. They also said it's the car for rich Newport Beach ladies. But it was my wife that reminded me that Vanessa Bryant drives one... She's certainly a rich Newport Beach lady. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on February 09, 2026, 11:08:31 AM
I have no idea who Vanessa Bryant is, and that's okay by me.

There's definitely not the same concentration of wealth in CenTex as there is in Orange County, maybe that's why I don't really ever see these in the wild.

I do see quite a few Aston Martin, Lambos, Ferraris, Maseratis, and a handful of Bentleys and Rolls Royce. 

Oh, they're definitely there, all over the place.

One more reason nobody should move there. 
Lebanese mafia is what rules Austin.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on February 09, 2026, 11:13:19 AM
I have no idea who Vanessa Bryant is, and that's okay by me.
Kobe Bryant's widow. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on February 09, 2026, 11:35:11 AM
Not sure if this is real Grumpy Old Man or just general whining/complaining....

There's a big annual review process for faculty here, which my department has recently renovated/automated and oversees.  Not the compliance or review aspect, but as far as designing the digital process and administrating the software and trouble-shooting technical problems if they arise.  A paper version of this process has been around for years and years, and no faculty could be unfamiliar with it.  

A very small percentage of the faculty apparently don't look at any of this until it's due or past due, or read the instructions we provide them with.  We say very clearly, if you're listed in the wrong department, let us know immediately.  Because it's not the quick fix they probably think it is.  We have to launch a completely new review process for them for the year, we can't just change their department.  This happens when their data is incorrect in our database and gets integrated into the software, listing them incorrectly.  I don't directly touch our database as far as editing anything, that's above my pay grade, all I can do is run reports off of it.  

Some of these professors go through the whole process of typing out all the outcomes, measures, goals, whatever, that they're responsible for, and attaching all the documents (probably 100 or more, in most cases), and then email us that their department is listed wrong.  Meaning some irrelevant department chair received their review and can't do anything with it.  Then they get mad when I tell them to copy/paste everything they wrote into Word or a text editor or whatever, and I'll launch a new, corrected process for them, and they'll have to paste everything in and reattach all the documents in the appropriate sections.  Some have emailed about this several days past their due date.  

I think to myself.....these are presumably people who tell their students to turn in their projects/assignment on time and if you don't, your grade gets docked for every day you're late.  That's how it worked when I was in school.  I'm like......dude.....you had a month to do this.....you didn't read the directions or you waited til the last minute (or beyond) to do it, and now you gripe at me because your department chair wants to know why they don't have your stuff yet?  

Now, a few of our older faculty are simply technologically challenged, and struggle to complete the process due to poor basic computer-user skills.  But I have sympathy for that and I don't mind helping them, even when their email exchanges get long and tedious.  But these folks who just waited til the last minute and didn't read the directions?  GTHO.  Go re-do your stuff and don't gripe at me about it.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Drew4UTk on February 09, 2026, 10:03:06 PM
Instant torque.  What gearhead can't love that?

I think they pushed too hard too fast and wrecked what could have been an otherwise rational transition.  That's socially, politically, and logically.  Weird that those three aren't the same, though they never have been. Huh.

My neighbor has a Rivian. Dang thing lays the equivalent of 750hp to each wheel.  Its 0-60, 0-100, 60ft, 120ft, 1/8m or 1/4m not to mention top speed would embarrass even the most famed of the original muscle cars and a good portion of the most recent ones... with four passengers while listening to a podcast and counting blue cars or sumshiyat.

True Hybrids is where its at... logically... an engine capable of providing constant power for 99% of need, and that battery reserve for when its needed, and some programming to kill the engine until reserve drops below 50%.  Not talking an engine with throttle cables connected to a foot either by wire or cable, but a constant rpm of perhaps five levels depending on depletion rate of the batteries.  Here is the kicker: its automated- the driver doesn't need to be present for the engine to charge the system... and critical to that: hydrogen or alcohol fuel.  A freakin 1500cc v twin could do that, especially if using technology like a 6 stroke ice.

I watched a drag bike, electric, make a pass at right at 175mph and well under 9 seconds in the quarter.  That was enough to get my attention. That was around 2009 or so.  We should be further along than we are.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on February 10, 2026, 05:25:50 PM
There's definitely not the same concentration of wealth in CenTex as there is in Orange County, maybe that's why I don't really ever see these in the wild.
And so of course today, I see a black Mercedes G-Wagon rolling down the street less than a mile from my house.

However I could not tell if the driver was male or female, because the windows were tinted so heavily they were completely blacked out.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on February 10, 2026, 05:27:37 PM
I think she was flipping you the bird
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on February 10, 2026, 05:31:43 PM
I think she was flipping you the bird
(https://media4.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTZjMDliOTUyNXk0YW9sNGNmOXJ5M3g3OWQzaGJ1bXZxdTJvODVrNHhnbjEycGx3biZlcD12MV9naWZzX3NlYXJjaCZjdD1n/T5rWgDN7rE9CBkU8zw/200w.gif)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: bayareabadger on February 10, 2026, 05:42:00 PM
Yeah Texas clearly isn't California.  Around here, the demand has dropped through the floor for Tesla vehicles.

They also got caught by the market a bit. More options. Some people say they’re not that well-made. 

Someone I know has a plug-in hybrid, which sounds like a decent deal.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Wildcat4E on February 10, 2026, 05:44:51 PM
I've only seen one G-wagon in the wild around these parts.  3rd wife of feedlot-owning multi-millionaire.  Sold his part of the investment in a packing outfit for upwards of 30 mil.  Dude exemplifies the old adage of it's easy to hit a homerun when you start on 3rd base.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on February 10, 2026, 06:00:22 PM
packing house might be for sale in Lexington, NE
if yer interested, or your 3rd base buddy
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on February 10, 2026, 07:01:41 PM
Had the kids from Thursday afternoon until this morning. Drove my daughter around in the Jeep, with the top on, which never happens. The Flex has been gone from the front of the house since Friday morning. 

Do you think any of them noticed or asked where it was? 

Nope. Completely oblivious. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on February 10, 2026, 07:28:56 PM
Had the kids from Thursday afternoon until this morning. Drove my daughter around in the Jeep, with the top on, which never happens. The Flex has been gone from the front of the house since Friday morning.

Do you think any of them noticed or asked where it was?

Nope. Completely oblivious.
Here's a Toyota 4Runner Hybrid TRD Offroad Premium in Claremont for you, for only $57K.  Go get it!

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicle/766267981?fuelTypeGroup=HYB&listingType=USED&makeCode=TOYOTA&modelCode=4RUN&numRecords=25&searchRadius=50&sortBy=relevance&startYear=2024&zip=92603

(https://i.imgur.com/gsWL0MM.png)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on February 10, 2026, 07:33:06 PM
toyota???
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on February 10, 2026, 07:36:23 PM
toyota???
bwar listed it several pages back as a car he might be interested in.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on February 10, 2026, 07:50:39 PM
sure, but from you?
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on February 10, 2026, 08:14:51 PM
Here's a Toyota 4Runner Hybrid TRD Offroad Premium in Claremont for you, for only $57K.  Go get it!
Jesus, $57K for used?!

But alas, I don't want a black car... I don't wash my vehicles often enough and black shows EVERYTHING. Looks great when clean, terrible when dirty. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on February 10, 2026, 08:22:55 PM
I don't drive black vehicles either

also don't like white vehicles but they hide the dirt
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on February 10, 2026, 11:07:09 PM
sure, but from you?

Well I ain't buyin' it that's for sure.  I'm just tryin' to help a brother out.


But alas, I don't want a black car... I don't wash my vehicles often enough and black shows EVERYTHING. Looks great when clean, terrible when dirty.

I don't drive black vehicles either

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PvuNAoG0XY
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on February 11, 2026, 08:14:25 AM
(https://i.imgur.com/woZj8Xk.png)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on February 11, 2026, 09:07:02 AM
Weird and humpy, tiny useless little Euro SUV.

This on the other hand-- sporty.


(https://i.imgur.com/ljNpmG1.png)

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on February 11, 2026, 09:10:23 AM
I've driven those. My BiL had one. Very nice.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on February 11, 2026, 09:14:11 AM
I've driven those. My BiL had one. Very nice.
Wow, nice.  I ain't so lucky.

I just picked the sportiest looking picture I could find of a modern Maserati, it's pretty sweet-looking and I'm sure it's fun to drive.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Gigem on February 11, 2026, 09:59:09 AM
Had the kids from Thursday afternoon until this morning. Drove my daughter around in the Jeep, with the top on, which never happens. The Flex has been gone from the front of the house since Friday morning.

Do you think any of them noticed or asked where it was?

Nope. Completely oblivious.
We had a dog one time.  Very energetic, he discovered he could simply jump our ~5 ft wood fence.  Just jump right over the damn thing.  He kept getting out, and we really didn't have any good way to stop him.  

He finally jumped over and we couldn't find him this time.  Usually we would find him running around the neighborhood after an hour or two.  At the time, our kids were fairly little, like maybe 8-9 and 4-5.  Had no idea what to say to them.  
Day 1:  They didn't notice. 
Day 2: Still didn't notice.
Day 3:  Crickets. 
Day 4: Still nothing.
Day 5:  By this time, neither me or my wife was even thinking about the dog.  
Day 6: Still nothing, we had totally forgot.
Day 7:  Finally, the oldest said "where's Tuff".  We were like "Who?"  We had completely forgotten about the dog.

For those of you worried about Tuff, we actually found out he had been adopted by an old man around town and we seen him riding around in his truck for several years.  Obviously the old man gave the dog a better owner than we did so it all ended well.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Gigem on February 11, 2026, 10:04:11 AM
I wanted to make my first "Grumpy Old Man" thread on this post. 

For those of you that have been out of the work force for more than ~5 years, or those of you who don't really use modern corporate systems, just ignore this.

MS Teams....GRRRRR.  BACK IN MY DAY...we knew where the folders were located.  We saved shortcuts for them, everybody knew where they were.  Along comes Teams....now we have "Channels", and chat/messaging, and file sharing, etc.  You can't just hop on the network and find the file.  You have to get on Teams, find the right channel, find the right part in the channel, then the doc opens in essentially a browser, not the program like Excel or Word.  

Then they keep changing Teams, so as soon as you have it somewhat figured out, it changes.  

It all really just seems like a complicated "fix" to a problem nobody really had.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Gigem on February 11, 2026, 10:41:15 AM
I just figured out the reason why I can't find my files is because now it's under a "shared" tab and not a "files" tab.  

Hmph. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on February 11, 2026, 10:43:47 AM
We use Teams, but only for meetings. None of that other nonsense. That's what the server is for.

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on February 11, 2026, 10:58:04 AM
Teams has some good stuff, but yeah agree 100% there's a WHOLE bunch of it that's confusing. Especially if you're in an org (like ours) where we use Outlook, and we use Teams, and we use OneDrive, and we use Sharepoint (which I think is sorta tied to OneDrive and sorta not??).

For example, just this morning I copied a file from OneDrive to a specific Team so that everyone on that team can access/modify it. At this point I don't know if it's now two separated files, or if in Teams, they're linked any edits anyone makes to the file in Teams will also affect my copy in OneDrive. 

I had a file on Sharepoint that I was editing and then someone else moved it while I was editing. I started freaking out b/c I was concerned that all the edits I made were lost, because the file just disappeared from that folder in Sharepoint. But then once I found WHERE the file was moved to, all my edits were there. I mean, I'm glad that my edits weren't lost... But it doesn't always make it easy to know where to find the damn file!

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on February 11, 2026, 11:21:41 AM
We had a dog one time.  Very energetic, he discovered he could simply jump our ~5 ft wood fence.  Just jump right over the damn thing.  He kept getting out, and we really didn't have any good way to stop him. 

For those of you worried about Tuff, we actually found out he had been adopted by an old man around town and we seen him riding around in his truck for several years.  Obviously the old man gave the dog a better owner than we did so it all ended well. 
old man obviously had a taller fence
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on February 11, 2026, 11:23:09 AM
I just figured out the reason why I can't find my files is because now it's under a "shared" tab and not a "files" tab. 

Hmph.
I dislike looking for stuff there.
I leave it to the inside sales guy, unless I want to get grumpy
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Gigem on February 11, 2026, 12:49:16 PM
Teams has some good stuff, but yeah agree 100% there's a WHOLE bunch of it that's confusing. Especially if you're in an org (like ours) where we use Outlook, and we use Teams, and we use OneDrive, and we use Sharepoint (which I think is sorta tied to OneDrive and sorta not??).

For example, just this morning I copied a file from OneDrive to a specific Team so that everyone on that team can access/modify it. At this point I don't know if it's now two separated files, or if in Teams, they're linked any edits anyone makes to the file in Teams will also affect my copy in OneDrive.

I had a file on Sharepoint that I was editing and then someone else moved it while I was editing. I started freaking out b/c I was concerned that all the edits I made were lost, because the file just disappeared from that folder in Sharepoint. But then once I found WHERE the file was moved to, all my edits were there. I mean, I'm glad that my edits weren't lost... But it doesn't always make it easy to know where to find the damn file!
Bingo. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on February 11, 2026, 01:07:31 PM
I spent 17 minutes yesterday afternoon getting reamed on the phone by a faculty member who did her review process wrong and needs to re-do it.  Even my long-winded arse doesn't have the willpower to recount that conversation at this point.  Though I will say my favorite part of it was where she asked me what I meant by saying I'd recommend a department chair do something.....she said no, I need to demand he do it.  I tried to explain to her that I can't demand he do anything....he doesn't work for me.  But she was more interested in ranting and threatening me than solving the problem.  

She told me she was writing everything down, and due to some federally protected information she included in her review being routed to the wrong department, I'd be getting a written email from her, and she was going copy "the very highest levels of authority."  

Welp, she did send the email, and she did copy the university president, the provost, the dean of her college, the head of HR, my boss, and two representatives from some state faculty representation outfits I'm not familiar with.  My boss Replied All pretty quickly with receipts, showing where she'd failed to read the instructions we provide and do what they tell her to make sure and do so that everything goes smoothly. More email exchanges ensued between the two of them with everyone in the chain still copied, but I stayed out of it.  17 minutes on the phone with her was enough.  

My boss' boss contacted me shortly before I left work and asked me to write up a narrative of my recollection of the phone call.  So I got to spend a while last night doing that after supper, instead of relaxing and decompressing.  

I was never worried about it, and I've already been informed by both my boss and his boss this morning that I did everything correctly and not to worry about anything.  There's a lot of issues at play here I can't comment on.  My only remaining irritation about the whole thing is that the president, provost, and that particular dean don't know me, and this is the context in which they first see my name.  Where I'm being accused of negligence and mishandling sensitive data.  

I figured no matter how ridiculous her claims are and despite her refusal to accept any help to correct the situation, this would be taken seriously because of her claim that her ADA privacy rights were violated.  And it appears that it's indeed being taken seriously. 

Though I was never worried about it, that doesn't mean I wasn't livid.  This happened to me several times when I worked at a medical clinic and patients' children would call and act like assholes about the type of care they thought their parents were getting when they didn't know what the hell they were talking about.  My blood boils in those types of conversations.  I hate it when people don't know what they're talking about, trying to blame me for their stupidity, and I can't really say any of the things I'd like to say to them.  

Grumpy.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on February 11, 2026, 01:15:09 PM
hah, sounds like some of the crap my brother puts up with at the University of Texas system

I'm sure it's ALL university systems
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on February 11, 2026, 01:18:17 PM
Her: Yelling at me?

Me: F off and then hang up.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on February 11, 2026, 01:19:04 PM
hah, sounds like some of the crap my brother puts up with at the University of Texas system

I'm sure it's ALL university systems

The Director of Assessment works in my department, and he poked his head in after it all went down.  Said he wasn't trying to eavesdrop, but he couldn't help but overhear my end of the conversation.  He said he was surprised I made it this long without getting reamed by faculty.  Said it happens to all of us eventually, and from time to time, you just have to get used to the idea that every now and then that happens, and that if you're not at fault and they don't want your help, you have to learn to tell them to f*** off.  

My threshold is really, really high, and most people don't have what it takes to make me blow my top such that I'd tell anyone to f*** off.  She sure didn't have it in her.  She made me mad, but nothing close to that.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on February 11, 2026, 01:21:10 PM
Her: Yelling at me?

Me: F off and then hang up.

Hah, yeah....see above.  

I really wouldn't help my case by getting sideways with faculty anyway.  

To your point, in my meeting with my boss this morning, the only thing he recommended for the future was to quit trying to explain anything to anyone if they get like that.  He said go ahead and tell them they need to speak to my boss and then end the conversation.  Said don't bother trying to help people when they're like that.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on February 11, 2026, 01:23:01 PM
yup, those types don't usually bother me as much as they'd like

they usually just want to blow off steam for being mad at themselves

I just let them rant and rave and them tell them to have a nice day at the end.

same with folks with road rage - I just smile and wave politely.  That usually makes them even more enraged!
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on February 11, 2026, 01:27:02 PM
"Kill 'em with kindness!" is a real thing.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on February 11, 2026, 01:53:28 PM
F 'em.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on February 12, 2026, 05:22:18 PM
She told me she was writing everything down, and due to some federally protected information she included in her review being routed to the wrong department, I'd be getting a written email from her, and she was going copy "the very highest levels of authority." 

Welp, she did send the email, and she did copy the university president, the provost, the dean of her college, the head of HR, my boss, and two representatives from some state faculty representation outfits I'm not familiar with.  

I figured no matter how ridiculous her claims are and despite her refusal to accept any help to correct the situation, this would be taken seriously because of her claim that her ADA privacy rights were violated.  And it appears that it's indeed being taken seriously.

 
this might make her grumpy.........................



The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill recently rolled out a new policy that permits university officials to record classes without notifying the instructor. It’s a practice administrators have used in the past to investigate professors but have now formalized in writing.

According to the policy, administrators may, with the provost and general counsel’s written permission, record classes or access existing recordings without telling faculty in order to “gather evidence in connection with an investigation into alleged violations of university policy” and “for any other lawful purpose, when authorized in writing by the provost and the office of university counsel, who will consult with the chair of the faculty.”

Mehdi Shadmehr, an associate professor of public policy at UNC, told Inside Higher Ed the policy is “completely outside any kind of norm.”

“This is something that governments in Iran and Syria and East Germany and maybe military regimes back in the day in Argentina and Brazil would do, but in the United States? That’s just crazy,” he said.

Students are prohibited from recording in class without explicit permission from the instructor—a practice that has landed professors at other universities in political hot water in recent months. UNC students may seek an exemption to record through the accessibility resources office if needed, the policy states. Faculty members may record their own classes for “instructional purposes” but must notify students prior to recording. To record classes as part of tenure and promotion evaluation, the university must notify instructors of the forthcoming recording at least seven calendar days in advance and work with the instructor to find a class date that is “representative of the overall course.”
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on February 12, 2026, 05:28:22 PM
That might make me grumpy.  Not sure how I feel about that.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on February 12, 2026, 05:33:12 PM
stay awake in class
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Wildcat4E on February 12, 2026, 05:34:29 PM
stay awake in class
Easier said than done
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on February 12, 2026, 05:42:33 PM
don't have the hot beef for lunch
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MrNubbz on February 12, 2026, 08:50:58 PM
I spent 17 minutes yesterday afternoon getting reamed on the phone by a faculty member who did her review process wrong and needs to re-do it.

My boss' boss contacted me shortly before I left work and asked me to write up a narrative of my recollection of the phone call.  So I got to spend a while last night doing that after supper, instead of relaxing and decompressing. I was never worried about it, and I've already been informed by both my boss and his boss this morning that I did everything correctly and not to worry about anything.  There's a lot of issues at play here I can't comment on.
Grumpy. 
So caring about a karen,tsk.tsk,tsk. Should have just said in your best Carribean dialect "you fuck up too Jobu have a good evening toots"
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MrNubbz on February 12, 2026, 08:53:13 PM
  Said it happens to all of us eventually, and from time to time, you just have to get used to the idea that every now and then that happens, and that if you're not at fault and they don't want your help, you have to learn to tell them to f*** off. 
Ya - what that guy said,good to know there's more of us smooth talkers out there
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on February 12, 2026, 09:12:34 PM
Ya - what that guy said,good to know there's more of us smooth talkers out there
Sometimes you just need a little smooth talk to make someone go **** themselves and yet make them feel like it was their own idea. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on February 13, 2026, 10:24:07 AM
This is serious deal at the moment.  Like I said, lots of stuff I can't comment on.  

It's really to my advantage that I didn't tell her to F off or get rude with her.  That might've made me feel better in the moment but this is a good example of how there are many different nuances to different situations, and the right thing is not always showing your ass.  

Some random UT fan giving me shit about wearing my LSU shirt to a Longhorn game?  He can f right off (that happened, multiple times).  A "coworker" flies off the handle talking about lawsuits and bringing federally protected information into her accusations and clearly trying to bait me into saying something--anything--wrong so she can build some "Gotcha!" moments?  It is already clear to me in the unfoldings so far that I am much better off having kept a cool head and not taking her bait.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on February 13, 2026, 10:44:10 AM
always
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: bayareabadger on February 13, 2026, 10:49:15 AM
I spent 17 minutes yesterday afternoon getting reamed on the phone by a faculty member who did her review process wrong and needs to re-do it.  Even my long-winded arse doesn't have the willpower to recount that conversation at this point.  Though I will say my favorite part of it was where she asked me what I meant by saying I'd recommend a department chair do something.....she said no, I need to demand he do it.  I tried to explain to her that I can't demand he do anything....he doesn't work for me.  But she was more interested in ranting and threatening me than solving the problem. 

She told me she was writing everything down, and due to some federally protected information she included in her review being routed to the wrong department, I'd be getting a written email from her, and she was going copy "the very highest levels of authority." 

Welp, she did send the email, and she did copy the university president, the provost, the dean of her college, the head of HR, my boss, and two representatives from some state faculty representation outfits I'm not familiar with.  My boss Replied All pretty quickly with receipts, showing where she'd failed to read the instructions we provide and do what they tell her to make sure and do so that everything goes smoothly. More email exchanges ensued between the two of them with everyone in the chain still copied, but I stayed out of it.  17 minutes on the phone with her was enough. 

My boss' boss contacted me shortly before I left work and asked me to write up a narrative of my recollection of the phone call.  So I got to spend a while last night doing that after supper, instead of relaxing and decompressing. 

I was never worried about it, and I've already been informed by both my boss and his boss this morning that I did everything correctly and not to worry about anything.  There's a lot of issues at play here I can't comment on.  My only remaining irritation about the whole thing is that the president, provost, and that particular dean don't know me, and this is the context in which they first see my name.  Where I'm being accused of negligence and mishandling sensitive data. 

I figured no matter how ridiculous her claims are and despite her refusal to accept any help to correct the situation, this would be taken seriously because of her claim that her ADA privacy rights were violated.  And it appears that it's indeed being taken seriously.

Though I was never worried about it, that doesn't mean I wasn't livid.  This happened to me several times when I worked at a medical clinic and patients' children would call and act like assholes about the type of care they thought their parents were getting when they didn't know what the hell they were talking about.  My blood boils in those types of conversations.  I hate it when people don't know what they're talking about, trying to blame me for their stupidity, and I can't really say any of the things I'd like to say to them. 

Grumpy. 
“Ma’am. If it makes you feel better to yell at me, you’re doing that. But you didn’t follow the process as instructed and as such, you have to do it the proper way for reasons I can’t control. That’s the same for everyone else. If you need to talk to someone else about alternative arrangements, you can do that, but it will likely get us to the same outcome. Thank you, bye now.”

I’m guessing you can’t talk about it, but I would be fascinated to know the tortured ADA logic there. Like, what disability prevents me from filling out, annoying forms for a second time.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on February 13, 2026, 10:59:45 AM
“Ma’am. If it makes you feel better to yell at me, you’re doing that. But you didn’t follow the process as instructed and as such, you have to do it the proper way for reasons I can’t control. That’s the same for everyone else. If you need to talk to someone else about alternative arrangements, you can do that, but it will likely get us to the same outcome. Thank you, bye now.”

I’m guessing you can’t talk about it, but I would be fascinated to know the tortured ADA logic there. Like, what disability prevents me from filling out, annoying forms for a second time.

That's a good response.  Unfortunately, she never let me get that many words out in a row.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on February 15, 2026, 12:00:20 PM
Tax time, enough said.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on February 16, 2026, 07:40:55 AM
Somehow on Facebook (I know) I've stumbled across "conversations" frequently conversed about the flat Earth notion, faked moon landings, JFK assassins, atheism vs creationism, aliens, and more ...

They don't make me grumpier, if that's even possible, but I do find it entertaining at times.

I know everything on FB has to be true as it's all fact checked by fact checkers, but at times, some things seem off to me.  

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on February 16, 2026, 08:44:46 AM
some segments of the unwashed masses are sometimes off a bit
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on February 16, 2026, 08:47:07 AM
I think it goes to a human desire to "show someone up" by making some pithy post that "proves" another wrong.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on February 16, 2026, 08:53:05 AM
yes, there are many posts looking for clicks that are obviously wrong - hoping to bait folks into providing the correction

posts referring to Camaros with a picture of a mustang and such
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on February 16, 2026, 09:00:30 AM
Indeed, I am still not clear how that benefits the originator unless it leads to some commercial or captures one's personal info.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on February 16, 2026, 09:38:16 AM
I think if you somehow garner enuff "clicks" you're then an influencer and can get paid - don't really know
maybe for some it's a competition to gather clicks for their ego
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on February 16, 2026, 02:53:56 PM
Decided to try a new barber shop for a haircut today on my day off. Made an appt for 11:30. It's 11:53 and I'm still not in the chair... 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Gigem on February 16, 2026, 02:57:48 PM
I watched a pretty lengthy “moon denier” podcast a few weeks ago. Bart something or other , and Apollo astronaut Charlie Duke ( Apollo 15). 

Aside from Charlie being 90+ years old and perhaps a bit senile on his answers the Bart person had a very poor case. A couple of seconds of video or film where something didn’t quite make sense and a supposed lag in the communications that didn’t exist. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Gigem on February 16, 2026, 03:02:05 PM
Oh, and the other concrete proof (that we didn’t land on the moon) was some random nobody that claims their father died and on his deathbed he confessed that he was part of the fake filming and tv in some govt warehouse somewhere. Oh, and he’s never known his dad to lie. 

I really have no idea why so many people buy into this crap. I do get it that the govt lied and lied about so much stuff but all of this fake moon landing stuff just seems silly. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on February 16, 2026, 03:05:44 PM
It also makes no difference in my life now, and to become somehow consumed with proving it was false is ... dubious.

I have read it was faked, but they insisted on filming it on location for realism.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: jgvol on February 16, 2026, 03:09:36 PM
I watched a pretty lengthy “moon denier” podcast a few weeks ago. Bart something or other , and Apollo astronaut Charlie Duke ( Apollo 15).

Aside from Charlie being 90+ years old and perhaps a bit senile on his answers the Bart person had a very poor case. A couple of seconds of video or film where something didn’t quite make sense and a supposed lag in the communications that didn’t exist.

Bart Sibrel. 

His documentary “Something happened on the way to the Moon” is fairly well known.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Gigem on February 16, 2026, 03:23:43 PM
Bart Sibrel.

His documentary “Something happened on the way to the Moon” is fairly well known. 
Quite frankly the guy looks like a pathetic loser and his "evidence" is just so thin.  For example, one of  his major pieces of evidence is that on some random transmissions (labeled "Not for Public Broadcast") NASA asks a question and the astronauts respond almost immediately.  But if you listen to the clip, it actually seems like they were asking a question, or a series of questions, and the astronauts simply were answering much faster than anticipated so it seems like there  was no delay.  Also, they were not actually at the moon, they were only halfway, and there is only like a 1-1.5 second delay 1/2 way to the moon.  

The other "major" piece of evidence is some random shot of the earth from inside the Apollo CSM that he claims shows that they placed a screen in front of the window to make the earth look small or something. I don't really know.  To be truthful, you can't really tell exactly what's going on.  

I've come to realize that no amount of "evidence" would ever convince any of them of anything.  They'll always have some kind of excuse why it's fake.  So I therefore think either they pretty much don't believe their own bullshit, but they have monetized this whole fake moon deal, or they're just simply nuts and that's all there is to it.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on February 16, 2026, 03:28:39 PM
Decided to try a new barber shop for a haircut today on my day off. Made an appt for 11:30. It's 11:53 and I'm still not in the chair...
one and DONE!
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: jgvol on February 16, 2026, 03:35:05 PM
Quite frankly the guy looks like a pathetic loser and his "evidence" is just so thin.  For example, one of  his major pieces of evidence is that on some random transmissions (labeled "Not for Public Broadcast") NASA asks a question and the astronauts respond almost immediately.  But if you listen to the clip, it actually seems like they were asking a question, or a series of questions, and the astronauts simply were answering much faster than anticipated so it seems like there  was no delay.  Also, they were not actually at the moon, they were only halfway, and there is only like a 1-1.5 second delay 1/2 way to the moon. 

The other "major" piece of evidence is some random shot of the earth from inside the Apollo CSM that he claims shows that they placed a screen in front of the window to make the earth look small or something. I don't really know.  To be truthful, you can't really tell exactly what's going on. 

I've come to realize that no amount of "evidence" would ever convince any of them of anything.  They'll always have some kind of excuse why it's fake.  So I therefore think either they pretty much don't believe their own bullshit, but they have monetized this whole fake moon deal, or they're just simply nuts and that's all there is to it. 

I'm familiar with all Sibrel's points.  I watched the doc a few different times over the years.  He makes some good points, IMO, but I'm no astrophysicist, so there's that.

As with many things I don't truly "know", I a very comfortable saying "I don't know" --- as opposed to have a very strong opinion one way or the other.  I was more confident in my youth, and it turns out I called people idiots often when we disagreed, only to find out later that I was the over confident, ill informed jackass.

Why anyone buys the government narrative hook, line, and sinker on anything is laughable to me.  They lie about everything else, why not the moon landing?  I'm not saying they are, but I'm also never giving them the benefit of the doubt....on anything.

As far as the moon landings were faked.....I don't know.  We probably did, I suppose.  

The most compelling case for faked moon landing comes from NASA themselves in some of their very questionable statements.  We lost the telemetry data, we recorded over the moon landing tapes, we can't get past the Van Allen radiation belt, etc.

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Gigem on February 16, 2026, 03:46:09 PM
I'm familiar with all Sibrel's points.  I watched the doc a few different times over the years.  He makes some good points, IMO, but I'm no astrophysicist, so there's that.

As with many things I don't truly "know", I a very comfortable saying "I don't know" --- as opposed to have a very strong opinion one way or the other.  I was more confident in my youth, and it turns out I called people idiots often when we disagreed, only to find out later that I was the over confident, ill informed jackass.

Why anyone buys the government narrative hook, line, and sinker on anything is laughable to me.  They lie about everything else, why not the moon landing?  I'm not saying they are, but I'm also never giving them the benefit of the doubt....on anything.

As far as the moon landings were faked.....I don't know.  We probably did, I suppose. 

The most compelling case for faked moon landing comes from NASA themselves in some of their very questionable statements.  We lost the telemetry data, we recorded over the moon landing tapes, we can't get past the Van Allen radiation belt, etc.
Well, one of Bart's big "gotcha's" is some rando NASA guy telling him they couldn't build the Saturn rockets anymore, they destroyed the technology or something. 

Well, first of all, just taking some random NASA's guy off the cuff comments about "not being able to build the rockets" is just a load of BS.  Yeah, we can't build a 1966 Mustang anymore either, because we "destroyed" the technology.  Nothing was destroyed, at least not right away.  There are in fact two fully built Saturn V rockets, intact, at Houston JSC and in Florida.  So that item alone is bunk.  Secondly, you can't just store entire product lines indefinitely that take up gargantuan amounts of space.  Some of the stuff was stored for years and years, but when they started building the space shuttle, they needed the space.  So yes, some of it did get scrapped.  You know what didn't get scrapped?  The crawler transport that carried (and still carries) the rockets to and from the launchpad, the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB), the engine test stands still in use, the vacuum chambers still in use, the launchpads themselves, and decades of technology that was derived from Apollo Saturn.  

I'm with you on trusting the government blindly, but can we all at least agree that we did in fact launch multiple very large rockets, that we did in fact build multiple LM landers, and millions of people all around the world watched these rockets launch and hundreds and perhaps thousands of people actually tracked these things in orbit and in transit to the moon via amateur radio and other methods? 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on February 16, 2026, 03:49:51 PM
Grumping about fake moon landings is EXACTLY the kind of topic this thread was designed for.  

Bravo, Gentlemen!

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Gigem on February 16, 2026, 03:51:48 PM
As far as "losing the telemetry data" and the video tapes, that was an unfortunate happening but it's in fact way overblown.  

Remember, they didn't have hard drives of multiple MB and GB just sitting on the shelf.  They had tapes and reel to reel.  

The only video tapes that were lost weren't actually lost, they reused the same tapes over and over, this was before the era of VHS and other related formats.  The tapes got obsolete, the players got obsolete, and nobody really ever thought about saving them.  We have the video, that's not lost, the only thing "lost" is the exact tapes they used to record the transmission.  I don't really remember all the specifics, but the cameras used on the lander were not 100% compatible with what we had on the ground, so they had to do some conversion that ended up with less fidelity than what they actually saw in mission control.  

Also, recall that they had film cameras and film motion cameras onboard the LM, of which we do still have the actual film, which has always been "High Fidelity" even beyond what we would consider HD with 1080 or even 4K.  Old fashioned film is more like 20x the fidelity of 1080 or 4K.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: jgvol on February 16, 2026, 03:53:46 PM
Well, one of Bart's big "gotcha's" is some rando NASA guy telling him they couldn't build the Saturn rockets anymore, they destroyed the technology or something.

Well, first of all, just taking some random NASA's guy off the cuff comments about "not being able to build the rockets" is just a load of BS.  Yeah, we can't build a 1966 Mustang anymore either, because we "destroyed" the technology.  Nothing was destroyed, at least not right away.  There are in fact two fully built Saturn V rockets, intact, at Houston JSC and in Florida.  So that item alone is bunk.  Secondly, you can't just store entire product lines indefinitely that take up gargantuan amounts of space.  Some of the stuff was stored for years and years, but when they started building the space shuttle, they needed the space.  So yes, some of it did get scrapped.  You know what didn't get scrapped?  The crawler transport that carried (and still carries) the rockets to and from the launchpad, the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB), the engine test stands still in use, the vacuum chambers still in use, the launchpads themselves, and decades of technology that was derived from Apollo Saturn. 

I'm with you on trusting the government blindly, but can we all at least agree that we did in fact launch multiple very large rockets, that we did in fact build multiple LM landers, and millions of people all around the world watched these rockets launch and hundreds and perhaps thousands of people actually tracked these things in orbit and in transit to the moon via amateur radio and other methods?

Let's start here:  (on "rando NASA guy" that says on video, we destroyed the technology)

(https://i.imgur.com/oqAMmXc.png)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Gigem on February 16, 2026, 03:56:09 PM
Let's debunk some other gov't lies:

Did we really win WWII? I don't know anybody who died in the War, it was just a big scam to build bombs and get us out of the depression.  It was all a gov't fake.  

Did we really develop nuclear weapons?  If so, where is the proof?  If we did nuke Nagasaki and Hiroshima, why do people live there today?  What about the fall out?  Why didn't we just drop nukes on Kora/Vietnam/Iraq to win those wars? 

Are birds real?  I don't thinks so.  Birds are definitely a gov't lie.  There is no way something can fly.  

Astronauts/ISS?  Fake.  

Satellites?  Fake.  

Probes to Mars?  Fake.  

Nuclear powered submarine that surfaces under the north pole, breaking through the polar ice?  Fake.  

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Gigem on February 16, 2026, 03:58:10 PM
Let's start here:  (on "rando NASA guy" that says on video, we destroyed the technology)

(https://i.imgur.com/oqAMmXc.png)
Donald Roy Pettit....Fake.  He doesn't exist, never did.  Fake.  So anything he "says or said"...obviously also fake.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: jgvol on February 16, 2026, 04:00:51 PM
As far as "losing the telemetry data" and the video tapes, that was an unfortunate happening but it's in fact way overblown. 

Remember, they didn't have hard drives of multiple MB and GB just sitting on the shelf.  They had tapes and reel to reel. 

The only video tapes that were lost weren't actually lost, they reused the same tapes over and over, this was before the era of VHS and other related formats.  The tapes got obsolete, the players got obsolete, and nobody really ever thought about saving them.  We have the video, that's not lost, the only thing "lost" is the exact tapes they used to record the transmission.  I don't really remember all the specifics, but the cameras used on the lander were not 100% compatible with what we had on the ground, so they had to do some conversion that ended up with less fidelity than what they actually saw in mission control. 

Also, recall that they had film cameras and film motion cameras onboard the LM, of which we do still have the actual film, which has always been "High Fidelity" even beyond what we would consider HD with 1080 or even 4K.  Old fashioned film is more like 20x the fidelity of 1080 or 4K. 

Yeah, just the original moon landing films....let's record "I Dream of Jeannie" over it.  F it.

LOL.  I am damn sure glad we didn't write over the Declaration of Independence, and someone in 1776, thought "Hey, me might want to preserve this historical document!"

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: jgvol on February 16, 2026, 04:03:18 PM
Donald Roy Pettit....Fake.  He doesn't exist, never did.  Fake.  So anything he "says or said"...obviously also fake. 

You gonna let'em know?


https://www.nasa.gov/people/donald-r-pettit/
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: jgvol on February 16, 2026, 04:05:32 PM
Let's debunk some other gov't lies:

Did we really win WWII? I don't know anybody who died in the War, it was just a big scam to build bombs and get us out of the depression.  It was all a gov't fake. 

Did we really develop nuclear weapons?  If so, where is the proof?  If we did nuke Nagasaki and Hiroshima, why do people live there today?  What about the fall out?  Why didn't we just drop nukes on Kora/Vietnam/Iraq to win those wars?

Are birds real?  I don't thinks so.  Birds are definitely a gov't lie.  There is no way something can fly. 

Astronauts/ISS?  Fake. 

Satellites?  Fake. 

Probes to Mars?  Fake. 

Nuclear powered submarine that surfaces under the north pole, breaking through the polar ice?  Fake. 



The inevitable moon landing guy crash out.  Didn't take long.  

I said, "I don't know, probably we did, I suppose."

Now I don't believe birds are real.  :57:
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Gigem on February 16, 2026, 04:07:09 PM
You gonna let'em know?


https://www.nasa.gov/people/donald-r-pettit/
Are you dense or something?  You'd really take NASA's word about somebody who never existed?  :67:
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: jgvol on February 16, 2026, 04:08:02 PM
Are you dense or something?  You'd really take NASA's word about somebody who never existed?  :67:

Only when pigs fly.  :s_laugh:
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on February 16, 2026, 04:08:21 PM
The inevitable moon landing guy crash out.  Didn't take long. 

I said, "I don't know, probably we did, I suppose."

Now I don't believe birds are real.  :57:
I do, after wiping all the shit off my boat the other day.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Gigem on February 16, 2026, 04:09:02 PM
Yeah, just the original moon landing films....let's record "I Dream of Jeannie" over it.  F it.

LOL.  I am damn sure glad we didn't write over the Declaration of Independence, and someone in 1776, thought "Hey, me might want to preserve this historical document!"
We have 100% of the films.  They are in glorious 1960's High Fidelity.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: jgvol on February 16, 2026, 04:11:05 PM
We have 100% of the films.  They are in glorious 1960's High Fidelity. 

We did have some amazing technology back then.  


(https://i.imgur.com/ADHaxjE.png)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on February 16, 2026, 04:14:44 PM
I do, after wiping all the shit off my boat the other day.
That's not bird shit. That's coagulated chemtrail residue that falls from the sky. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: jgvol on February 16, 2026, 04:15:19 PM
That's not bird shit. That's coagulated chemtrail residue that falls from the sky.


Have you heard the one about the fake snow not melting in the south?
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on February 16, 2026, 04:16:28 PM
Have you heard the one about the fake snow not melting in the south?
Must have missed that one as I've only lived in the South for 2 years of my life... And that was Marietta GA, so I'm guessing a lot of Southerners don't count those 2 years :57:
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on February 16, 2026, 04:16:38 PM
That's not bird shit. That's coagulated chemtrail residue that falls from the sky.

Impossible, Florida illegalized chemtrails over a year ago!
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on February 16, 2026, 05:33:08 PM
Grumping about fake moon landings is EXACTLY the kind of topic this thread was designed for. 

Bravo, Gentlemen!


they are better men than I.(But, ya'll already knew that)

fake or otherwise moon landings  don't bother me a tall

I've got other pressing things to be grumpy about
Like folks that won't bother to reply to my professional emails!
I'm just doing my damned job and trying to communicate!
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on February 17, 2026, 08:36:17 AM
My favorite comment is "They did fake the Moon landings but wanted it to look so real they filmed it on location."

I'm often surprised how deeply folks get into such topics and "discussions".  Certainly, if something like this were indeed faked by government, it would call into question all sorts of things "we" take as being real.  I can understand why folks would discuss the JFK assassination, but Flat Earth Theory?  Not for me.  Having lengthy arguments about college football?  Um .....

Evolution?  OK with me to have a discussion (somewhere) but in general it's between two pretty uneducated groups who don't understand some basics.  

All this goes to an earlier question posed by MDT about "What do we really know?.  There is the Descarte answer of course.  It is possible everything else is some simulation, the way AI is taking over social media lends some credence to that.

I lean to worrying more about things over which I have some control or influence.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on February 17, 2026, 08:57:39 AM
https://youtu.be/HRphxu3Ru9M
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on February 17, 2026, 10:23:26 AM
A neighbor woman that I regularly see when I'm walking the dog was wearing a "Tetris" themed t-shirt today. 

Why does that not go into the happy thread for a nerd like me? 

Because the brick featured in the center of it was not actually a real Tetris brick. It was comprised of 5 blocks, not 4. 

Grumpy. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on February 17, 2026, 10:29:49 AM
The original Nintendo had dueling Tetrises. 

(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/_0NiztaAFAw/maxresdefault.jpg)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Gigem on February 17, 2026, 10:54:42 AM
I was thinking about this a lot since yesterday, about why I get so irritated and annoyed at these fake moon landing pushers and I think I have sorta nailed a couple of things down.  

The US Gov't has done a lot of underhanded stuff over the years.  We've meddled in other countries sovereignty, helped overthrow foreign governments, aided the drug trade, aided the arms trade, participated in medical experiments that were unethical, a lot of things we shouldn't be proud of.  

But I think most of what the Gov't has lied about is things that they have actually done, but claimed they didn't do.  I'm struggling to think of something they claimed they did and faked it.  

I will allow that there is the possibility that certain elements within the gov't in the '60's would have probably faked the moon landings if there were signs we were going to be beat, and probably they had already undertaken certain steps to faking it.  They probably did set-up a set somewhere, they probably did look at how to make fake moon rocks.  All sorts of things.  Not to say it was sanctioned by NASA or other "daylight" agencies.  But I think you'd be stupid if you think that it wasn't at least considered.  

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on February 17, 2026, 10:56:34 AM
I also wonder if we faked Apollo 13.  That would seem ... odd.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on February 17, 2026, 11:12:30 AM
I also wonder if we faked Apollo 13.  That would seem ... odd.

We faked the Challenger.  Christa McAuliffe is living on a desert island somewhere with Elvis Presley.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on February 17, 2026, 11:13:16 AM
A neighbor woman that I regularly see when I'm walking the dog was wearing a "Tetris" themed t-shirt today.

Why does that not go into the happy thread for a nerd like me?

Because the brick featured in the center of it was not actually a real Tetris brick. It was comprised of 5 blocks, not 4.

Grumpy.

Yeah, my head explodes thinking about that.

It's 4 blocks.  This isn't rocket science.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on February 17, 2026, 11:16:29 AM
It just seems very circular and silly to me when someone values the statements of one astronaut casting doubt on the moon landings, and cites that man's astronaut credentials as validation, while ignoring the 12 astronauts who actually went to the moon and have repeatedly affirmed that it really happened, and denying their astronaut credentials as validation.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: CatsbyAZ on February 17, 2026, 11:53:44 AM
Not sure how much this has to do with getting older, but I'm getting past the point of being able to develop new interests. Most of my friends watch F1, and over the last half-decade I joined them in watching the races, watching the Netflix series Drive To Survive, and even going to the race in Austin, but after two or three years I'm no longer willing to stay on top of the sport that they enjoy much more than I do. Same goes for trying to follow Premier League Soccer. After watching any number of matches with fans of Liverpool, Tottenham, and Arsenal over the years it was a relief to finally admit I can no longer muster a sustainable interest. Same with trying to follow the PGA.

Meanwhile, nothing seems more natural than holding onto the interests that I've developed since 12 years old: spectating pro/college sports, running, reading, travels and keeping a corresponding travel journal, and keeping up with the news. It's more than enough to occupy me from here on out.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on February 17, 2026, 12:47:00 PM
Meanwhile, nothing seems more natural than holding onto the interests that I've developed since 12 years old: spectating pro/college sports, running, reading, travels and keeping a corresponding travel journal, and keeping up with the news. It's more than enough to occupy me from here on out.

I hear you.  I've got so many backlogged books that it seems people could stop writing them right now and I'd still have more than enough to keep me occupied until my expiration date.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Wildcat4E on February 17, 2026, 12:59:12 PM
Speaking of expiration dates, got word a fraternity brother died of cancer at 57 a couple of weeks ago, and another announced he has prostate cancer that has spread to his bones at 53 last night.

Solidifies my plan to get bucket-list stuff done before losing my mind and having to retire, which also means never retiring.

Live for Today
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on February 17, 2026, 01:04:49 PM
Speaking of expiration dates, got word a fraternity brother died of cancer at 57 a couple of weeks ago, and another announced he has prostate cancer that has spread to his bones at 53 last night.

Solidifies my plan to get bucket-list stuff done before losing my mind and having to retire, which also means never retiring.

Live for Today

Hopefully it also solidifies your plan to do all your appropriate screenings.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Gigem on February 17, 2026, 01:23:54 PM
Essentially what they did back in the late 60's took some major balls.  There were massive risks, and they did it and did it successfully and I think that's what makes it so hard to believe.

For example, it's probably well known than Apollo 8 was the first manned trip around the moon.  It's easy to forget that the USSR and the US were locked in a space race, and we were losing for about ~10 years.  From about 1957-1966 the USSR kicked our tails in almost everything space related.  First satellite, first man, first woman, first orbit, first probe to the moon, first to photograph the backside of the moon.  First space walk. 

It wasn't until about 1966 and the Gemini program that we were at least on-par with our Soviet Counterparts and actually began to exceed their capabilities.  First orbital rendezvous, first docking, first long duration mission (two weeks in a Gemini Capsule).  

The Soviets were well on their way to being the first to put a man around the moon, and in fact they had already sent a spacecraft full of animals (turtles and other small animals) around the moon with their Zond spacecraft.  They didn't need the N1 to do this, they already had the capability.  

NASA made the decision to send the first full-stack Apollo V around the moon because the LM was not ready.  Remember, this was December 1968.  The Soviets were very close to sending Zond on the same mission, but they were having issues.  The 2nd and 3rd Zond ended in failure, mostly due to navigation errors and technical issues that would have resulted in LOC (Loss of Crew).  

Instead of sending a test Apollo full stack into space or even an unmanned test they send full crew, three men.  This was ~2 years after the loss of Apollo 1 crew in a fire on the launch pad.  They launched it, sent it on a non-free return trajectory (not even Artemis II will do this), had to use the big CSM engine twice.  Once to orbit the moon, and once to return home.  

BRASS BALLS

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Gigem on February 17, 2026, 01:29:00 PM
It's completely lost that without Apollo 8 skipping at least two missions, we may not have made that arbitrary 1969 deadline, and if Zond has beat us to lunar space it may have emboldened the soviets to attempt to move forward with their landing plans.  

This is the sequence:  
Apollo 8--> Proves that the Apollo CSM/Saturn V stack is capable of sending manned craft to orbit the moon and return.  

Apollo 9--> Test drive the LM in earth orbit. 

Apollo 10--> Test drive the LM in Lunar Orbit.  FYI we could have landed on Apollo 10.  We sent the whole enchilada into Lunar orbit, put the LM down a few hundred KM of the surface, and then aborted the landing and return to CSM.  This mission was basically a full up dress rehearsal.  These guys took all the risk, for almost none of the glory.  

Apollo 11 July 1969

Apollo 12 Nov 1969.  Second landing  

Without Apollo 8, Apollo 12 or 13(!) would have been the first landing.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Gigem on February 17, 2026, 01:32:28 PM
It just seems very circular and silly to me when someone values the statements of one astronaut casting doubt on the moon landings, and cites that man's astronaut credentials as validation, while ignoring the 12 astronauts who actually went to the moon and have repeatedly affirmed that it really happened, and denying their astronaut credentials as validation.
That's not what he (Pettit) said.  What he said was "we destroyed the technology" or something similar.  No shit sherlock, we also destroyed the technology to make a 1966 Mustang.  
What he meant was we shut down the production lines, closed the facilities, and let the tooling get scrapped or rust away.  You work for a computer manufacturer, can we produce the exact same computer from 1999 today?  

Exact same processor, exact RAM, exact hard drive.  No, because we "destroyed" it.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on February 17, 2026, 01:55:18 PM
That's not what he (Pettit) said.  What he said was "we destroyed the technology" or something similar.  No shit sherlock, we also destroyed the technology to make a 1966 Mustang. 
What he meant was we shut down the production lines, closed the facilities, and let the tooling get scrapped or rust away.  You work for a computer manufacturer, can we produce the exact same computer from 1999 today? 
I'm not talking about what Pettit said, I'm talking about how some people have chosen to interpret it, in support of the idea of fake lunar landings.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Gigem on February 17, 2026, 01:59:31 PM
I'm not talking about what Pettit said, I'm talking about how some people have chosen to interpret it, in support of the idea of fake lunar landings.
Well, don't forget that Don Pettit is fake too.  He doesn't exist.  :) 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on February 17, 2026, 02:12:35 PM
Historians and space enthusiasts have since debated whether Stafford and Cernan could have bucked NASA protocol and flown the final 15.6 kilometers to land on the Moon. Cernan later said that the ascent module was under-fueled to discourage the crew; NASA was also still optimizing the lunar module engines and testing the computer-assisted landing system back on Earth. In any case, the crew was not carrying equipment for a moonwalk.

The got within 16 km of the surface before ejecting the landing module and returning to orbit.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on February 17, 2026, 02:18:07 PM
Historians and space enthusiasts have since debated whether Stafford and Cernan could have bucked NASA protocol and flown the final 15.6 kilometers to land on the Moon. Cernan later said that the ascent module was under-fueled to discourage the crew; NASA was also still optimizing the lunar module engines and testing the computer-assisted landing system back on Earth. In any case, the crew was not carrying equipment for a moonwalk.

The got within 16 km of the surface before ejecting the landing module and returning to orbit. 
I don't believe any of this because it is secondhand.  I wasn't there experiencing it directly and therefore it is false and fake.

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on February 17, 2026, 02:29:58 PM
Yeah, goes back to MDT's question about what we can really know.

I dimly recall in HS physics running ball bearings down a track and calculating when it was pass various points.  It seemed to work, every time.

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on February 17, 2026, 04:53:34 PM
Yeah, goes back to MDT's question about what we can really know.

Yeah, well, one thing you definitely can't know for sure is my location, and that's because I'm going precisely 40 mph.  



some of you will get that and it still won't be very funny
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on February 17, 2026, 04:55:59 PM
Yeah, well, one thing you definitely can't know for sure is my location, and that's because I'm going precisely 40 mph. 



some of you will get that and it still won't be very funny
Heisenberg gets pulled over by a policeman for speeding. 

Cop: "Sir, do you know how fast you were going?"
Heisenberg: "No, but I know where I am!"
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on February 17, 2026, 05:03:53 PM
What we have hear, is failure ta communicate.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on February 18, 2026, 09:40:12 AM
Heisenberg gets pulled over by a policeman for speeding.

Cop: "Sir, do you know how fast you were going?"
Heisenberg: "No, but I know where I am!"

Lol.  I've heard a slight variation on that where the cop says "Sir, do you realize you were going 80 mph?" and Heisenberg responds "Thanks a lot, now I'm lost."  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on February 19, 2026, 10:31:15 PM
https://youtu.be/HRphxu3Ru9M
WASHINGTON —
President Donald Trump said Thursday that he's directing the Pentagon and other government agencies to identify and release files related to extraterrestrials and UFOs because of “tremendous interest.”

Trump made the announcement in a social media post hours after he accused former President Barack Obama of disclosing “classified information” when Obama recently suggested in a podcast interview that aliens were real.

Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One, “I don’t know if they’re real or not," and said of Obama, “I may get him out of trouble by declassifying.”

In a post on his social media platform Thursday night, Trump said he was directing government agencies to release files related “to alien and extraterrestrial life, unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), and unidentified flying objects (UFOs), and any and all other information connected to these highly complex, but extremely interesting and important, matters.”

Obama, who made his comments in a podcast appearance over the weekend, later clarified that he had not seen evidence that aliens “have made contact with us,” but said, “statistically, the universe is so vast that the odds are good there’s life out there.”

Trump told reporters Thursday that when it came to the prospect of extraterrestrial visitors: “I don’t have an opinion on it. I never talk about it. A lot of people do. A lot of people believe it.”

Trump's daughter-in-law Lara Trump suggested this week that he was ready to speak about it, however, when she said on a podcast that the president had a speech prepared to deliver on aliens that he would give at the “right time.”

That was news to the White House. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt responded with a laugh when she was asked about it Wednesday and told reporters, “A speech on aliens would be news to me.”

Public interest in unidentified flying objects and the possibility of the government hiding secrets of extraterrestrial life remerged in the public consciousness after a group of former Pentagon and government officials leaked Navy videos of unknown objects to The New York Times and Politico in 2017. The renewed scrutiny prompted Congress to hold the first hearings on UFOs in 50 years in May 2022, though officials said that the objects, which appeared to be green triangles floating above a Navy ship, were likely drones.

Since then the Pentagon has promised more transparency on the topic. In July 2022 it created the All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office, or AARO, which was intended to be a central place to collect reports of all military UFO encounters, taking over from a department task force.

In 2023, Dr. Sean Kirkpatrick, the head of AARO at the time, told reporters he didn’t have any evidence “of any program having ever existed as a to do any sort of reverse engineering of any sort of extraterrestrial (unidentified aerial phenomena).”

The information that has been made public shows that the vast majority of UFO reports made by the military go unsolved but the ones that are identified are largely benign in nature.

An 18-page unclassified report submitted to Congress in June 2024 said service members had made 485 reports of unidentified phenomena in the past year but 118 cases were found to be “prosaic objects such as various types of balloons, birds, and unmanned aerial systems.”

“It is important to underscore that, to date, AARO has discovered no evidence of extraterrestrial beings, activity, or technology,” the report stressed.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on February 19, 2026, 11:15:14 PM
(https://i.imgur.com/laAm2n5.png)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: bayareabadger on February 24, 2026, 09:02:35 AM
I looked on the basketball schedule and realized Wisconsin‘s next game is an 11 PM Eastern tip off.

Even in my best night owl days, that was some BS.

I dug in and learned that there are four total 11 PM tipoffs for non-western teams in conference play. It looks like it’ll be a nice rewatch for me on Thursday.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on February 24, 2026, 09:16:09 AM
Yeah, no chance I'm staying up for that.

I HATE that we took the PAC 4.

Grumpy.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MrNubbz on February 28, 2026, 08:36:55 AM
https://www.nbcnews.com/world/iran/live-blog/israel-iran-live-updates-rcna261099

U.S. and Israel launch major attack on Iran

GRUMPY
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on February 28, 2026, 09:08:08 AM
Russia on Saturday condemned the U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran as “a pre-planned and unprovoked act of armed aggression against a sovereign and independent U.N. member state,” demanding an immediate halt to the military campaign and a return to diplomacy.

In a statement posted to Telegram, the Foreign Ministry accused Washington and Tel Aviv of “hiding behind” concerns about Iran’s nuclear program while actually pursuing regime change.

It warned the attacks risked triggering a “humanitarian, economic and possibly radiological catastrophe” in the region and accused the U.S. and Israel of “plunging the Middle East into an abyss of uncontrolled escalation.”
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on February 28, 2026, 03:07:55 PM
Russia on Saturday condemned the U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran as “a pre-planned and unprovoked act of armed aggression against a sovereign and independent U.N. member state,” demanding an immediate halt to the military campaign and a return to diplomacy.

Ukraine be like W.T.F!?!?
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on February 28, 2026, 03:43:02 PM
the rest of the world be like W.T.F!?!?
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on March 03, 2026, 05:15:17 PM
When my MIL and sFIL were in town, we were talking about the car. He asked, "Is it AWD?" I said yes. 

He said: "Well then you'd better be really diligent about tire rotation... Because the front wheels are pulling, while the back wheels are pushing."

:smiley_confused1:

Posting here b/c I've learned long ago that sometimes explaining why someone is wrong is not worth it. 

(Note: tire rotation is still important... But that's not why.)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on March 03, 2026, 05:20:02 PM
Yeah just the original reason for rotating your tires is sufficient reason to rotate your tires...

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on March 03, 2026, 05:42:51 PM
By logical extension, would he say that a 2WD vehicle does NOT need its tires rotated?

Also, if the front wheels are pulling and the back wheels are pushing, wouldn't the vehicle....I dunno.....just, kinda, break apart in the middle?
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on March 03, 2026, 05:46:50 PM
By logical extension, would he say that a 2WD vehicle does NOT need its tires rotated?

Also, if the front wheels are pulling and the back wheels are pushing, wouldn't the vehicle....I dunno.....just, kinda, break apart in the middle?
He's an interesting guy. Non-golfers won't get this, but he just wouldn't agree with me when he said that with driver you want to hit the ball with topspin, and I said "uhhh... No. Just... No."

He's like AI. Very confident. Even when he's completely FoS...
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on March 03, 2026, 10:36:17 PM
He's probably a good guy.  Just needs a swift kick to the nutz 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on March 03, 2026, 10:38:20 PM
I'm grumpy because gas prices jumped cornsiderably. 

I drove almost 500 miles today 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Honestbuckeye on March 04, 2026, 06:45:44 AM
When my MIL and sFIL were in town, we were talking about the car. He asked, "Is it AWD?" I said yes.

He said: "Well then you'd better be really diligent about tire rotation... Because the front wheels are pulling, while the back wheels are pushing."

:smiley_confused1:

Posting here b/c I've learned long ago that sometimes explaining why someone is wrong is not worth it.

(Note: tire rotation is still important... But that's not why.)
👏😂😂
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Wildcat4E on March 04, 2026, 11:38:07 AM
When my MIL and sFIL were in town, we were talking about the car. He asked, "Is it AWD?" I said yes.

He said: "Well then you'd better be really diligent about tire rotation... Because the front wheels are pulling, while the back wheels are pushing."

:smiley_confused1:

Posting here b/c I've learned long ago that sometimes explaining why someone is wrong is not worth it.

(Note: tire rotation is still important... But that's not why.)
OK, that's a wrap on all Twitter, Fb and CFB51 comments!  

But, nah.

Carry on.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: CatsbyAZ on March 04, 2026, 12:20:49 PM
I'm grumpy because gas prices jumped cornsiderably.

On the way home from work yesterday, I made sure to fuel up due thanks to recent disruptions across the middle east.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on March 04, 2026, 01:14:52 PM
I fill up once a day 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: jgvol on March 04, 2026, 01:17:04 PM
I fill up once a day

That's a lot of driving.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on March 04, 2026, 01:20:07 PM
Somedays makes me grumpy 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MrNubbz on March 04, 2026, 01:34:16 PM
He's like AI. Very confident. Even when he's completely FoS...
Be a good corporate head,well a cororate head anyway
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on March 06, 2026, 12:15:12 PM
First time I've filled up my car, which needs 91, and it has to be the week has prices spiked. 

Grr. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on March 06, 2026, 12:23:01 PM
hah, since it's a rainy day, won't be driving the vette for a couple daze
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on March 06, 2026, 01:40:05 PM
hah, since it's a rainy day, won't be driving the vette for a couple daze
You sure? Could be fun!


(https://media0.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTZjMDliOTUyZzBhaDVhcHdld3hwZm45Mjc4Z3ZteGdqYzA5cmpxYjYyMDZtYWw5ZyZlcD12MV9naWZzX3NlYXJjaCZjdD1n/RQXXeXY3g9LzONzULH/200w.gif)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on March 07, 2026, 09:37:58 AM
could be fun but,........ I'm sure
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on March 07, 2026, 11:24:23 AM
You could do some pretty mean donuts. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: CatsbyAZ on March 11, 2026, 12:33:43 PM
I must say that for as much as my Millennial Generation likes to rip on our parent's Boomer Generation, all credit to Boomer men for having mature interests: golfing, wineries, classic rock, country clubs, breweries, yacht clubs, motorbikes, traveling Europe, tailgating, rifles…

Now take the accepted interests of my generation. The guy in the picture below is roughly my age – a millennial who is a few years older than myself. Lately he’s been crashing out about himself on his YouTube channel, and without labeling it so, hitting a mid-life crisis. His wife hasn’t left him, but she flies off to so many yoga retreats in the Tampa area that everybody wonders the obvious: whether it’s all a cover for her finding a new man.

So how is this guy coping with his mid-life crisis? Buying a sports car? Carrying on an affair with a waitress at a country club? Signing up for a Blue Origin flight? Surfing?

He’s dropping thousands of dollars on Pokemon and Magic the Gathering cards, hoping to find rare cards while he films himself unboxing the latest decks of cards he’s bought:

(https://i.imgur.com/wj86ApF.png)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: jgvol on March 11, 2026, 02:02:30 PM
I must say that for as much as my Millennial Generation likes to rip on our parent's Boomer Generation, all credit to Boomer men for having mature interests: golfing, wineries, classic rock, country clubs, breweries, yacht clubs, motorbikes, traveling Europe, tailgating, rifles…

Now take the accepted interests of my generation. The guy in the picture below is roughly my age – a millennial who is a few years older than myself. Lately he’s been crashing out about himself on his YouTube channel, and without labeling it so, hitting a mid-life crisis. His wife hasn’t left him, but she flies off to so many yoga retreats in the Tampa area that everybody wonders the obvious: whether it’s all a cover for her finding a new man.

So how is this guy coping with his mid-life crisis? Buying a sports car? Carrying on an affair with a waitress at a country club? Signing up for a Blue Origin flight? Surfing?

He’s dropping thousands of dollars on Pokemon and Magic the Gathering cards, hoping to find rare cards while he films himself unboxing the latest decks of cards he’s bought:

(https://i.imgur.com/wj86ApF.png)


Is that the douche' that runs "The Quartering"?  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on March 11, 2026, 05:47:01 PM
So I brewed a roggenbier on Sunday. A roggenbier is a rye beer that is brewed with a hefeweizen yeast, so while it's not a hefeweizen (b/c it uses rye instead of wheat) I've often called my a heferyezen... 

All was well. Got everything chilled to pitch the yeast. Yesterday I could hear the airlock bubbling away... And not just bubbling away, it was staccato like machine gun fire... Clearly the fermentation was kicking ass. 

Well...

I wake up this morning and go out into the garage and thought it odd that I couldn't hear the airlock. And then realized that there was a big area of wet floor between the fermentation fridge and the garage door. And thought... "WTF happened? Did the blowoff go out the blowoff tube and leak?"

Nope. Apparently something got plugged up and the pressure of the CO2 building up, pushed my fermenting beer right out of the fermenter through the racking cane. So I had a fridge full of spilled beer, a floor full of spilled beer, and a nearly-empty fermenter. 

So 5ish hours of work on Sunday (in a hot garage), all the cost of ingredients, and a mess I spent this morning cleaning up, and I've got nothing to show for it. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on March 11, 2026, 05:56:14 PM
Shucks.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: SFBadger96 on March 11, 2026, 06:10:10 PM
Oof. And now you'll have to bring all that charm to parties, instead of beer.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on March 11, 2026, 08:51:05 PM
That sucks, bwar.  Love of the game, right?

On a related note, Live Oak Brewing in Austin makes an absolutely delicious roggenbier.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on March 11, 2026, 10:12:46 PM
fuck it dude, let's go bowling
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on March 12, 2026, 07:05:57 AM
About three years ago, I "inherited" my wife's iPad.  I had an old one, this one was better, slimmer, etc.  She had dropped it and cracked the screen, repair was $$$, she bought a new one, I used the cracked one, worked fine, until yesterday when it stopped charging.  So, any advice for a new one?  They seem pretty cheap these days.

I don't look forward to regenerating my old apps, but whatever.  My primary use is reading books on Libby and occasional surfing.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on March 12, 2026, 10:14:35 AM
I got nothin

I am grumpy that the battery in my work laptop died.
I tried to convince the computer guy at the company to simply send a new battery
he says he needs it back in his shop to try to get a warranty repair

so, I'll be forced to set up a different laptop with all my stuff - GRUMPY
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on March 12, 2026, 10:31:26 AM
About three years ago, I "inherited" my wife's iPad.  I had an old one, this one was better, slimmer, etc.  She had dropped it and cracked the screen, repair was $$$, she bought a new one, I used the cracked one, worked fine, until yesterday when it stopped charging.  So, any advice for a new one?  They seem pretty cheap these days.

I don't look forward to regenerating my old apps, but whatever.  My primary use is reading books on Libby and occasional surfing.
With iTunes, you probably don't have to do very much to regenerate your apps... As long as everything is synced with your iCloud account, it should reload them when you log into the account on the replacement iPad. That said, I'm an Android guy and I haven't replaced my phone in a LONG time (it's a Pixel 5), so YMMV. But when my wife has replaced her iPhone, it was a pretty seamless process re: apps. 

Based on what you say about your usage, I don't think you'd need an iPad Pro or Air. Base model should be fine. Beyond that, all I'd say is that if you're looking to save a little, to look at previous generation or refurbished. 

Analogies:


Finally, if you prefer to buy new, just go to Costco. And choose the lowest amount of flash on offer. For what you say you do on it, there's no need to pay up for anything but the lowest cost base model iPad.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: CatsbyAZ on March 12, 2026, 10:44:29 AM
Is that the douche' that runs "The Quartering"? 

Yes:

(https://i.imgur.com/7WWJ5DC.png)

In defense of the younger generations, many Millennials who are entering their forties do not have the money to fund the more mature leisure interests that Boomers had. Country Clubs and wine club memberships are pricey practices.

Speaking of wine, several Napa Valley’s famed wineries are closing: Ranch Winery, Arista Winery, Mission Bell Winery, Newton Vineyard. All citing a shifting industry.

From the NY Post (https://nypost.com/2026/02/25/us-news/california-winery-owner-gives-hottest-take-yet-on-why-industry-dying/): “The owner of a Sonoma County winery believes the industry is dying because baby boomers are. Jon Phillips, the owner of Sonoma County winery Inspiration Vineyards and Winery, told The Post that the population decline of the industry’s top wine-consuming generation has led to a recent downturn in sales. “It’s not because the boomers are drinking less, it’s because there are less boomers”…he struggled with his wine club subscription service, but not because of demand or inferior wine: “It’s because my customers literally were dying,” he said. He says in conjunction with the declining baby boomer demand is less interest from younger generations like Gen Z and millennials, who have slowly adopted wine.”





Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on March 12, 2026, 10:50:26 AM
Yeah, the younger generations would rather sit on their couch interacting with others only through their phones while munching on their THC gummies if they want to alter their state. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Riffraft on March 12, 2026, 12:06:08 PM
Yeah, the younger generations would rather sit on their couch interacting with others only through their phones while munching on their THC gummies if they want to alter their state.

With the legalization of pot, I have found that THC has become the drug of choice for people my age or older to alter their state. I think they are reliving their youth when it was illegal.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: SFBadger96 on March 12, 2026, 12:19:53 PM
Yeah, the numbers show that the biggest increases in THC usage are in the middle-aged and older groups. It's also pretty cheap relative to decent alcohol, particularly good wine.

(I'm headed to wine country tomorrow for the weekend.)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on March 12, 2026, 12:25:57 PM
Yeah if altering my state were my sole goal then I'd probably be into the THC stuff.

But I actually really LIKE beer and wine and liquor.  Getting effed up hasn't been my sole goal since... I don't know... freshman year of college probably.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: SFBadger96 on March 12, 2026, 12:32:14 PM
Yeah, the act of mixing and pouring, and enjoying the process of drinking--including tasting--is part of the charm. I don't mind the side effect, but I also don't need it and more often than not stop before I get any.

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: jgvol on March 12, 2026, 01:26:43 PM
Bar culture is dead as well.

Neither of my young sons are potheads (they despise the stuff because of what it has done to their generation and friend groups).

My 25 year old tries to do the bar scene, and it's just not there.  When he does go, it's mostly Gen-X'ers such as myself --- probably the majority divorcees.

Depressing........
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on March 12, 2026, 01:42:57 PM
We still have a lot of people going to bars here - older GX and the Boomers, but our town closes at like 9PM.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Gigem on March 12, 2026, 01:55:15 PM
Bar culture is dead as well.

Neither of my young sons are potheads (they despise the stuff because of what it has done to their generation and friend groups).

My 25 year old tries to do the bar scene, and it's just not there.  When he does go, it's mostly Gen-X'ers such as myself --- probably the majority divorcees.

Depressing........
DWI and DUI Enforcement has killed off a lot of bar scene stuff.  Not to say that I condone drinking and driving, but if you go out and have 3,4,5 drinks, you're usually either over the limit, or close to it.  What we got away with back in the 90's and earlier will land you in jail or worse with heavy fines and probation.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on March 12, 2026, 01:55:44 PM
Bar scene still very much alive here in the ATX.  But when drinks are $15-$20 each and I can make a much better one at home, it's not all that appealing.

Around here it's mostly the late 20-something and early 30-something tech bros going out and doing bottle service and stupid shit like that.  And of course the women who want to be around that kind of stuff.

There's also still a college/campus bar scene, but those places are so cheap and dirty I'm not about to show up there.  In other words, no different than when I was in school.  Those places haven't changed, it's just me.

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on March 12, 2026, 01:57:22 PM
My 25 year old tries to do the bar scene, and it's just not there.  When he does go, it's mostly Gen-X'ers such as myself --- probably the majority divorcees.

Depressing........
Ahh, so he's cougar hunting? :57:
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Riffraft on March 12, 2026, 02:19:24 PM
I go to bar & grills fairly regularly.  Usually it is to listen to live music sometimes karaoke. Rarely stay past 9 or 10.  Also drink glorified brown water (ultra) most of the time when I go out
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: jgvol on March 12, 2026, 02:28:45 PM
DWI and DUI Enforcement has killed off a lot of bar scene stuff.  Not to say that I condone drinking and driving, but if you go out and have 3,4,5 drinks, you're usually either over the limit, or close to it.  What we got away with back in the 90's and earlier will land you in jail or worse with heavy fines and probation. 

No excuse not to use Uber these days.

I wish I’d had that option as a young, stupid man. 

Me and the wife use it now if we step out and anticipate imbibing carefree. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on March 12, 2026, 02:35:34 PM
No excuse not to use Uber these days.

I wish I’d had that option as a young, stupid man.

Me and the wife use it now if we step out and anticipate imbibing carefree. 
Yeah Uber has really helped us out.  
After I finally grew up enough to start going out responsibly, it always meant forcing someone do be a DD.  Or worse yet, limiting my own intake! ;)

But now Uber has completely changed it all.  Pretty much any time we go downtown, we're splitting with another couple.  That makes a $100 roudntrip only $50/couple which isn't really THAT much more than parking these days.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: jgvol on March 12, 2026, 02:37:56 PM
Yeah Uber has really helped us out. 
After I finally grew up enough to start going out responsibly, it always meant forcing someone do be a DD.  Or worse yet, limiting my own intake! ;)

But now Uber has completely changed it all.  Pretty much any time we go downtown, we're splitting with another couple.  That makes a $100 roudntrip only $50/couple which isn't really THAT much more than parking these days.


And much more cost effective than a DUI !!

The peace of mind alone to drink what you want with no anxiety about the ride home is worth the cost. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on March 12, 2026, 02:50:45 PM
We like to use Uber too, but many of those drivers are not up very late either.

Music usually starts at bars here at 5-6 PM and runs until 8-9 PM. The it's go home time.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: SFBadger96 on March 12, 2026, 02:54:02 PM
Walking and biking (bicycle, not motorized) are good options for where we live. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on March 12, 2026, 03:30:59 PM
Walking and biking (bicycle, not motorized) are good options for where we live.
Remember, you can still get a DUI on a bicycle. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on March 12, 2026, 03:57:44 PM
I was in Costco and the wine lady stopped by to "help", which she did, she showed me a grower Champagne she said she got on a great deal, $50, and a Napa red I had not seen before for $99 she said was killer.  I'm a sucker, I think there is a sign on my forehead.  I had mentioned I thought Caymus was over priced, so she showed me the other one I had not seen before.

Costco is lethal.

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Wildcat4E on March 12, 2026, 04:03:55 PM
I was in Costco and the wine lady stopped by to "help", which she did, she showed me a grower Champagne she said she got on a great deal, $50, and a Napa red I had not seen before for $99 she said was killer.  I'm a sucker, I think there is a sign on my forehead.  I had mentioned I thought Caymus was over priced, so she showed me the other one I had not seen before.

Costco is lethal.
Is that for a case, I mean, one goes there for bulk deals.

I'm not a great connoisseur of wine.  No way for me to believe a bottle that costs 10 times as much as an "affordable" one would be 10 times more enjoyable.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on March 12, 2026, 05:03:10 PM
I was in Costco and the wine lady stopped by to "help", which she did, she showed me a grower Champagne she said she got on a great deal, $50, and a Napa red I had not seen before for $99 she said was killer.  I'm a sucker, I think there is a sign on my forehead.  I had mentioned I thought Caymus was over priced, so she showed me the other one I had not seen before.

Costco is lethal.


Did you get an iPad too? :57:
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: SFBadger96 on March 12, 2026, 05:03:40 PM
Remember, you can still get a DUI on a bicycle.

True, but the realistic standard for getting stopped is much higher than the one for getting stopped in a car. People "swerving" on a bike are pretty much routine, so you've really got to be doing something wild to get attention from a police officer. And we have a protected bike lane most of the way from our house to our downtown, and the police really don't care about bicycles in a protected bike lane. You could probably have a jousting contest in there and they would look the other way.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on March 13, 2026, 09:58:38 AM
Uber & Lyft are not available everywhere
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Wildcat4E on March 13, 2026, 11:39:15 AM
Remember, you can still get a DUI on a bicycle.
Depends on where you hang your hat.  Gotta have a motor where I do, unless there's some dumb city ordinance enacted like the city of Wichita has, but then it doesn't have the same punitive effect on your actual driving privileges.

The more you know.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on March 13, 2026, 12:09:14 PM
probably more likely to get one for riding a horse on the public street in Western Kansas
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on March 13, 2026, 02:01:43 PM
Today would have been my son's 40th birthday.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: jgvol on March 13, 2026, 02:02:40 PM
Today would have been my son's 40th birthday. 

God bless your son, and Happy Birthday.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on March 13, 2026, 02:04:35 PM
Today would have been my son's 40th birthday. 

God bless your son, and Happy Birthday.
Amen.  God bless your son, and you and your family.  Happy Heavenly birthday to him.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: CatsbyAZ on March 14, 2026, 12:24:31 PM
Bar culture is dead as well.

Agree, for reasons already stated – rising prices, disinterest among the young – and it’s really starting to show.

I have only been a bar regular once, and it ended two months ago when the sports bar I frequented for six years shuttered for good after they could no longer afford the downtown lease hikes. It was fun while it lasted, but I don’t plan on being a regular again. Bars are time and money lost, at least as often as I was going there. Worse, the fellow regulars were net nulls.

Are barflies fun? Have they good stories to share? Do barflies pick great music from the jukebox? Can they talk sports? Yes, on all counts. But are they anything more than that?

In large part the social life of a barfly is strictly limited to their bar. And they don’t have social ambition to better themselves within the usual social realms they lack (church, extended family) nor can afford (country clubs, travel). A barfly’s lack of aspiration is a symptom of having little to no vision for their lives. And with a lack of vision beyond the bar, barflies have limited capacity to enact bigger, longer terms plans for themselves, such as eventually buying a house, moving across the country, pursuing college, shifting into a new career, or losing thirty pounds at the gym. They are frozen on their barstools, literally and figuratively.

Barflies are as friend-worthy as anybody else, but aren’t much more than what you see of them running up a tab while watching the NFL. They are single-connection friends, dependable for only sharing drinks with – not much else; no golfing together, or running a 5k, or joining your fantasy football league. Losing my barfly circle after my corner bar closed has turned out to be not much of a loss.

(https://i.imgur.com/f4qdiwb.png)

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MaximumSam on March 14, 2026, 12:31:39 PM
Agree, for reasons already stated – rising prices, disinterest among the young – and it’s really starting to show.

I have only been a bar regular once, and it ended two months ago when the sports bar I frequented for six years shuttered for good after they could no longer afford the downtown lease hikes. It was fun while it lasted, but I don’t plan on being a regular again. Bars are time and money lost, at least as often as I was going there. Worse, the fellow regulars were net nulls.

Are barflies fun? Have they good stories to share? Do barflies pick great music from the jukebox? Can they talk sports? Yes, on all counts. But are they anything more than that?

In large part the social life of a barfly is strictly limited to their bar. And they don’t have social ambition to better themselves within the usual social realms they lack (church, extended family) nor can afford (country clubs, travel). A barfly’s lack of aspiration is a symptom of having little to no vision for their lives. And with a lack of vision beyond the bar, barflies have limited capacity to enact bigger, longer terms plans for themselves, such as eventually buying a house, moving across the country, pursuing college, shifting into a new career, or losing thirty pounds at the gym. They are frozen on their barstools, literally and figuratively.

Barflies are as friend-worthy as anybody else, but aren’t much more than what you see of them running up a tab while watching the NFL. They are single-connection friends, dependable for only sharing drinks with – not much else; no golfing together, or running a 5k, or joining your fantasy football league. Losing my barfly circle after my corner bar closed has turned out to be not much of a loss.

(https://i.imgur.com/f4qdiwb.png)
Oh man. There is a dive bar by the kids' Taekwondo that I would go to every once in a while to kill time. Every single time was interesting in the "what the hell, people" department.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MrNubbz on March 14, 2026, 12:54:40 PM
ATTA Boy MS don't give up the ship
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on March 14, 2026, 01:28:57 PM
probably more likely to get one for riding a horse on the public street in Western Kansas
It's not like the horse has had anything to drink. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on March 14, 2026, 03:24:57 PM
F**K Michigan.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on March 14, 2026, 03:57:38 PM
and the horse they rode in on!
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Gigem on March 14, 2026, 05:43:08 PM
Happy Heavenly Birthday to your son, Cincy. 

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: CatsbyAZ on March 15, 2026, 12:55:24 PM
Oh man. There is a dive bar by the kids' Taekwondo that I would go to every once in a while to kill time. Every single time was interesting in the "what the hell, people" department.

Barflies offer three primary topics for discussion/gossip:

-Soap Opera Drama in their private lives - affairs, child support, evictions - caused in large part by their own mistakes
-Complaints re: their financial problems caused in large part by their own poor money decisions, all while ignoring how high they're running their open tabs
-Sports to include sports betting on Draft Kings & FanDuel, which is a worse waste of money than running up their tabs

Barflies generally make for empty calorie friends.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on March 15, 2026, 01:08:09 PM
Barflies offer three primary topics for discussion/gossip:

-Soap Opera Drama in their private lives - affairs, child support, evictions - caused in large part by their own mistakes
-Complaints re: their financial problems caused in large part by their own poor money decisions, all while ignoring how high they're running their open tabs
-Sports to include sports betting on Draft Kings & FanDuel, which is a worse waste of money than running up their tabs

Barflies generally make for empty calorie friends.
Yeah, but they have cool tattoos. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on March 15, 2026, 01:31:41 PM
I've never understood how people could do that, financially.  You can buy a bottle of whatever and drink it at home for the price of 3-4 drinks at a bar.  Literally ALL of their dispensable income would have to go towards their bar tab.  

It's just astounding to me.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on March 15, 2026, 01:39:17 PM
judge me at your own risk :57:
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on March 20, 2026, 12:17:58 PM
Gas is 5.99 / gal. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on March 20, 2026, 12:21:44 PM
Just paid $3.69.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on March 20, 2026, 12:36:51 PM
$3.19 yesterday in Cedar Park.

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on March 20, 2026, 01:03:22 PM
$2.97 here

but, don't move here - would cause gas to go up
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on March 20, 2026, 02:48:07 PM
$2.97 at the closest Walmart.  A little over $3 at most other places around town.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on March 20, 2026, 03:14:07 PM
I should point out that $5.99 was at Costco, which is usually the "cheap" place. 

Of course, it was also for 91 octane... Regular wasn't that expensive. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: bayareabadger on March 20, 2026, 05:07:44 PM
Really needed Wisconsin to at least deal with the mid major to not leave me Very grumpy today
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: bayareabadger on March 21, 2026, 11:16:50 AM
Gas at the station I’m looking at, which is in the middle a bit on the pricey side, is sitting just short of four bucks. So that’s wild.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MrNubbz on March 21, 2026, 11:27:01 PM
Serves them right
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/4zHsyRY32zs?feature=share
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on March 23, 2026, 08:08:17 AM
We were out Saturday and I saw $3.67 and as high as $4.50 in one place in town.

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Gigem on March 23, 2026, 09:07:43 AM
Two days of hard labor with no results on a project I was doing.  I didn't have something that I should have had, and I thought I could get by without it, but turns out I was sorely mistaken.  

Had to abandon the job, and regroup.  Will pick back up next week.  

Grumpy.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: jgvol on March 23, 2026, 10:11:46 AM
3.59 is the cheapest I've seen in my neck of the woods.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on March 23, 2026, 10:31:19 AM
It will come down. The oil companies are screwing us right now, IMO.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on March 23, 2026, 10:38:19 AM
Ed Zachery - 20% of the world's oil supply - I'm sure the rest of the world is pumping overtime to capitalize on the high prices
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on March 23, 2026, 10:52:56 AM
Ed Zachery - 20% of the world's oil supply - I'm sure the rest of the world is pumping overtime to capitalize on the high prices
And almost none of it is our supply.

We get ours from home, and also Canada and Mexico. Only a very small amount comes across the ocean.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on March 23, 2026, 11:23:00 AM
yup, the Texans get richer

SMU, T Tech, & Houston benefit, especially in football

where's T-Boone when ya need him?
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Wildcat4E on March 23, 2026, 11:36:00 AM
yup, the Texans get richer

SMU, T Tech, & Houston benefit, especially in football

where's T-Boone when ya need him?
It's so weird in my neck of the woods, these people actually are happy when the price of crude jumps.  The county has been the #1 oil producer in the State for the past ~60 years.

I guess if you have interest in a well pumping a few hundred barrels a week, it's worth the $.90/gallon jump to put in your Escalade.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on March 23, 2026, 11:37:22 AM
Back when I worked in that industry, we were always happy when gas prices were a little higher.  When they drop too low, for too long, is when everybody started getting laid off.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on March 23, 2026, 11:38:57 AM
greedy evil billionaires :57: 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on March 23, 2026, 11:55:05 AM
Oil prices TOO low can be a problem overall.  Around four years back I thought EVs would suppress oil prices longer term, and maybe they will ... someday.

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on March 23, 2026, 12:00:19 PM
It's so weird in my neck of the woods, these people actually are happy when the price of crude jumps.  The county has been the #1 oil producer in the State for the past ~60 years.

I guess if you have interest in a well pumping a few hundred barrels a week, it's worth the $.90/gallon jump to put in your Escalade.
One of my good friends has oil wells on family property down in South Texas.  They won't even bother to pump when oil is less than $75.  But then they start pumping, he's literally making millions. I expect he's about to buy another house somewhere in Europe or something.  

Great work if you can get it.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on March 23, 2026, 01:11:32 PM
A supply / demand imbalance (in the "shortage" direction) is the reason I'm in a position to work with a financial advisor...

Wait... That should go in the happy thread :57:
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on March 23, 2026, 01:51:13 PM
One of my good friends has oil wells on family property down in South Texas.  They won't even bother to pump when oil is less than $75.  But then they start pumping, he's literally making millions. I expect he's about to buy another house somewhere in Europe or something. 

Great work if you can get it.

Does he operate his own wells?  If so, he already had $$$ before the oil money.  If he doesn't, the decision likely isn't his, and also, I probably leased him at some point.  Well, maybe not, but I did more than my fair share in south Texas. 

Most people lease their land to production companies, and sometimes the force majeure clauses are tricky to navigate.  Most modern leases stipulate that the contract is voided if wells are capped for X number of days.  otoh, what you mentioned happens a lot.  Many--if not most--producers aren't interested in continuing production if the price of oil drops too low.  There does come a point where it's more expensive to bring it to market than what they can sell it for, so they'd rather just let it sit and sell the inventory at a higher price later.  It often results in some unfortunate situations where landowners are locked into leases that aren't helping them and keeping their property off the market for another producer more willing to do something with it, because the lessee waits almost until that X number of days goes by, starts up the well, cranks out a barrell (or the bare minimum cubic feet, if it's a natural gas well), shuts down the well again, and keeps the lease in force for another X number of days. 

Land owners get real bent out of shape about that. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on March 23, 2026, 02:02:37 PM
Does he operate his own wells?  If so, he already had $$$ before the oil money.  If he doesn't, the decision likely isn't his, and also, I probably leased him at some point.  Well, maybe not, but I did more than my fair share in south Texas. 

Most people lease their land to production companies, and sometimes the force majeure clauses are tricky to navigate.  Most modern leases stipulate that the contract is voided if wells are capped for X number of days.  otoh, what you mentioned happens a lot.  Many--if not most--producers aren't interested in continuing production if the price of oil drops too low.  There does come a point where it's more expensive to bring it to market than what they can sell it for, so they'd rather just let it sit and sell the inventory at a higher price later.  It often results in some unfortunate situations where landowners are locked into leases that aren't helping them and keeping their property off the market for another producer more willing to do something with it, because the lessee waits almost until that X number of days goes by, starts up the well, cranks out a barrell (or the bare minimum cubic feet, if it's a natural gas well), shuts down the well again, and keeps the lease in force for another X number of days. 

Land owners get real bent out of shape about that. 

I assume someone else operates it, it's family land and they've been pumping for decades upon decades.  It's also an operating ranch and we used to go down there and camp and shoot and stuff.

As for the lease, I have no idea how it operates, but he makes between hundreds of thousands and millions of dollars every time they decide to start pumping, so he's fine with whatever deal he's got.

He's actually a Methodist minister, he was my youth pastor way back in the day.  He's fine with or without the money, but he certainly doesn't mind it when they decide to give him millions of dollars. 

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on March 24, 2026, 07:39:49 AM
This ain't gonna help much.

Huge explosion tears through major US oil refinery sparking 'take shelter' warning (https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/huge-explosion-tears-through-major-us-oil-refinery-sparking-take-shelter-warning/ar-AA1ZhoIb?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=69c277b9c3fd44ab92fc9b307a80321e&ei=13)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on March 24, 2026, 08:13:19 AM
happy I won't be filling my tank until Thursday
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on March 24, 2026, 09:42:12 AM
I assume someone else operates it, it's family land and they've been pumping for decades upon decades.  It's also an operating ranch and we used to go down there and camp and shoot and stuff.

As for the lease, I have no idea how it operates, but he makes between hundreds of thousands and millions of dollars every time they decide to start pumping, so he's fine with whatever deal he's got.

He's actually a Methodist minister, he was my youth pastor way back in the day.  He's fine with or without the money, but he certainly doesn't mind it when they decide to give him millions of dollars.

Yep, there are lot of lucky folks like that.  I think I mentioned here a while back about an elderly lady in Robertson County who I had to deliver a royalties check to one time (that's not standard procedure at all, but there was some kind of problem depositing into her bank).  It was for one month's royalties, and it was for just over $1 mil.  I had met her before a few times on other business, so I was familiar with her vibe.  I was just shaking my head, trying to imagine passively making that much money in a month.  She, on the other hand, was just out in her chicken coop gathering eggs and doing other country-person chores at her old, modest house.  I figured she probably used that check as a bookmark and forgot about it.  

There are others for whom it's never enough.  No matter how much they were making to do nothing other than lease their land, they were up in arms about everything, especially when their wells weren't producing and not making them gobs of money that month.  Those people were inclined to let you hear about it.  

Like I could do anything about it anyway.  

Hypothetical conversation:

Me:  Hello, this call is to inform you that one of your lessors, Billy-Joe Jim-Bob, is unhappy that you've capped the well on his property and would like you to put it back into production.

Exxon:  Who are you?  And also, don't care, f*** off, kid.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on March 25, 2026, 08:57:25 AM
My wife had some kind of laser survery yesterday on her gums, she has been grumpy, but she tries and pretend not to be.  I'd never heard of this fortunately.  It sounds pretty bad.  She says she's better this AM at least, so I'm being grumpy for her.

I'd probably still be in bed whining.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on March 25, 2026, 01:08:52 PM
couple guys bailed on my golf outing this afternoon in Des Moines

I suppose I could hope to get paired up with another cool dude like myself
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on March 25, 2026, 01:31:02 PM
I doubt you could find another cool dude like yourself ...
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MrNubbz on March 25, 2026, 02:23:16 PM
couple guys bailed on my golf outing this afternoon in Des Moines
The crosses we bear.....weren't you supposed to be working though???
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on March 25, 2026, 04:11:57 PM
I doubt you could find another cool dude like yourself ...
you are right again as per usual
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on March 25, 2026, 04:12:46 PM
The crosses we bear.....weren't you supposed to be working though???
Dude, I worked from 8am to 12:30pm
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on March 30, 2026, 03:32:00 PM
Ugh. Will be at the office a little later than planned today, so I figured I'd go down to the cafeteria to buy a crappy overpriced lunch. But their stupid tablet-based ordering system is terrible. You can't order fries. You can order a burger and make it a combo (fries+drink) but you can't even order a burger and then add fries (no drink). And they want to charge me $1.25 just to put cheese on a $13.25 smash burger, plus another $4.50 to make it a combo--that I don't want. I don't need soda. I miss the days when you could actually order from a human. In those days, you could even order garlic fries--if not officially on the menu, they could add it for a small upcharge. Now you only get to order what's on the tablet. 

So... Eff it. Walked away without completing the order.

Guess I'm not eating anything until dinner today. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on March 30, 2026, 03:36:37 PM
Ugh. Will be at the office a little later than planned today, so I figured I'd go down to the cafeteria to buy a crappy overpriced lunch. But their stupid tablet-based ordering system is terrible. You can't order fries. You can order a burger and make it a combo (fries+drink) but you can't even order a burger and then add fries (no drink). And they want to charge me $1.25 just to put cheese on a $13.25 smash burger, plus another $4.50 to make it a combo--that I don't want. I don't need soda. I miss the days when you could actually order from a human. In those days, you could even order garlic fries--if not officially on the menu, they could add it for a small upcharge. Now you only get to order what's on the tablet.

So... Eff it. Walked away without completing the order.

Guess I'm not eating anything until dinner today.

I'm sure it won't be around much longer, but right now we still have a full cafe' with 4 different stations (Pizza, grill, salad/wrap/sandwich counter, and "special of the day") where you can not only get your food ordered and handed to you directly from a human, but at the grill they can short-order pretty much anything you can think of, and they carry a pretty wide variety of ingredients.  OAM would be delighted to know that you can even order an egg sandwich at 1 PM if you like.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on March 30, 2026, 03:37:34 PM
wasn't able to get a tee time yesterday - my fault should have called a few days in advance
wasn't able to get a tee time this afternoon - usually wide open on a Monday but hosting a 36 hole college tournament

grumpy!
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on March 30, 2026, 03:39:51 PM
Ugh. Will be at the office a little later than planned today, so I figured I'd go down to the cafeteria to buy a crappy overpriced lunch. But their stupid tablet-based ordering system is terrible. You can't order fries. You can order a burger and make it a combo (fries+drink) but you can't even order a burger and then add fries (no drink). And they want to charge me $1.25 just to put cheese on a $13.25 smash burger, plus another $4.50 to make it a combo--that I don't want. I don't need soda. I miss the days when you could actually order from a human. In those days, you could even order garlic fries--if not officially on the menu, they could add it for a small upcharge. Now you only get to order what's on the tablet.

So... Eff it. Walked away without completing the order.

Guess I'm not eating anything until dinner today.

I've walked out of a couple different places because of this
I did order that way at a Portillo's in Texas - I regret it 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: CatsbyAZ on April 01, 2026, 02:48:03 PM
Ever since signing up for AAA Roadside Assistance a few years back, several times a month I receive in the mail membership forms from AARP hoping that I sign up even though I am not exactly eligible.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on April 01, 2026, 02:58:48 PM
My phone number has somehow fallen into the hands of a political machine.  I've been getting annoying texts all this week.  I reply "stop" and the stop is confirmed, but it doesn't matter.  They spam me from an endless supply of fresh numbers, so that I'm still getting like 10 of the things per day.  I think this happened the last time it was an election year.  

If there's a DNC registry but for texts, I wish I knew it.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on April 02, 2026, 01:26:28 PM
^^^  Yesterday at 7:30 pm I got another one of those texts, except this one was more worrying.  Instead of harassing me to do a survey, donate to a campaign, or whatever, this one said "Thank you for your donation of $33.28 to Kamala Harris.  If this is a mistake, please click here:  *Link*  stop=end"

I haven't donated any amount to anybody--and such an oddly specific amount either--and I ain't clicking that link.  It's probably bait, but now I have to go check all the credit cards and bank accounts anyway, because we've been scammed a couple of times in the past couple of years and I'm scarred by it.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on April 02, 2026, 01:30:48 PM
evil SOBs
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: SFBadger96 on April 02, 2026, 04:13:31 PM
Yeah, the ubiquity of sharing mobile numbers for a variety of things makes it difficult to avoid. The spam sucks. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on April 07, 2026, 11:37:08 AM
Surgery got aborted due to an emergency with the guy before me.

All hooked up to IV, EKG crap and all the machines.

All for nothing.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on April 07, 2026, 11:42:44 AM
Dang sorry to hear that bf.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on April 07, 2026, 11:47:10 AM
Today's a tough one for my family.  We had to put down our dog Lucy, she's a black lab mix who was a rescue dog that we adopted as a puppy 9 years ago.  The kids have basically grown up with her and it's especially tough on them.

She presented last week with some alarming symptoms, she couldn't keep any food down, was clearly in discomfort, and then we saw that her eyes were getting yellow-tinged with jaundice so we suspected liver issues.  We took her to the vet after a couple of days, and although they were unable to come up with a specific diagnosis, the imaging showed that it was potentially cancer around her liver and/or gall bladder.  She descended pretty rapidly over the past couple of days and we made the decision last night to take her in to be put to sleep this morning.  

Sucky day, but we're all just trying to focus on the nine years of happy memories.  She was a good dog and she loved the kids, and they loved her.

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on April 07, 2026, 11:52:56 AM
Surgery got aborted due to an emergency with the guy before me.

All hooked up to IV, EKG crap and all the machines.

All for nothing.
Sorry, brother... That sucks. 

My oldest just got taken back for his wisdom teeth extraction. 

Grumpy b/c he's apparently got 6 wisdom teeth, and those extra 2 jacked the price up. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on April 07, 2026, 11:53:57 AM
Today's a tough one for my family.  We had to put down our dog Lucy, she's a black lab mix who was a rescue dog that we adopted as a puppy 9 years ago.  The kids have basically grown up with her and it's especially tough on them.

She presented last week with some alarming symptoms, she couldn't keep any food down, was clearly in discomfort, and then we saw that her eyes were getting yellow-tinged with jaundice so we suspected liver issues.  We took her to the vet after a couple of days, and although they were unable to come up with a specific diagnosis, the imaging showed that it was potentially cancer around her liver and/or gall bladder.  She descended pretty rapidly over the past couple of days and we made the decision last night to take her in to be put to sleep this morning. 

Sucky day, but we're all just trying to focus on the nine years of happy memories.  She was a good dog and she loved the kids, and they loved her.


Sorry to hear that... I fear the day we have to face that... My wife will be wrecked. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: jgvol on April 07, 2026, 11:55:02 AM
Today's a tough one for my family.  We had to put down our dog Lucy, she's a black lab mix who was a rescue dog that we adopted as a puppy 9 years ago.  The kids have basically grown up with her and it's especially tough on them.

She presented last week with some alarming symptoms, she couldn't keep any food down, was clearly in discomfort, and then we saw that her eyes were getting yellow-tinged with jaundice so we suspected liver issues.  We took her to the vet after a couple of days, and although they were unable to come up with a specific diagnosis, the imaging showed that it was potentially cancer around her liver and/or gall bladder.  She descended pretty rapidly over the past couple of days and we made the decision last night to take her in to be put to sleep this morning. 

Sucky day, but we're all just trying to focus on the nine years of happy memories.  She was a good dog and she loved the kids, and they loved her.



I hate this.  I've got a real soft spot for dogs -- the best animal, by a wide margin.

Happy for your family's good years with Lucy, and sorry for the loss.  They hurt, more than one would think.

All dog's go to heaven.

 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on April 07, 2026, 12:23:38 PM
Today's a tough one for my family.  We had to put down our dog Lucy, she's a black lab mix who was a rescue dog that we adopted as a puppy 9 years ago.  The kids have basically grown up with her and it's especially tough on them.

She presented last week with some alarming symptoms, she couldn't keep any food down, was clearly in discomfort, and then we saw that her eyes were getting yellow-tinged with jaundice so we suspected liver issues.  We took her to the vet after a couple of days, and although they were unable to come up with a specific diagnosis, the imaging showed that it was potentially cancer around her liver and/or gall bladder.  She descended pretty rapidly over the past couple of days and we made the decision last night to take her in to be put to sleep this morning. 

Sucky day, but we're all just trying to focus on the nine years of happy memories.  She was a good dog and she loved the kids, and they loved her.

That sucks.  I'm very much a dog person, I get extremely attached to them, and I know how much it sucks to lose them.  
They trust us to know when the time is right, and we have to make the sucky decisions about when to say goodbye.  It never feels like there's a right answer, to me, but we just do the best we can.  Glad that y'all got nine happy years with her.  

And yes, all dogs go to heaven.  

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on April 07, 2026, 12:25:32 PM
Surgery got aborted due to an emergency with the guy before me.

All hooked up to IV, EKG crap and all the machines.

All for nothing.

Ugh.

I would not be happy.  That's crazy that an emergency this early in the day necessitated you getting completely bumped.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on April 07, 2026, 12:43:44 PM
He/she must have coded. 

I can't think of anything else.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on April 07, 2026, 12:45:21 PM
The dog stories above... I've been through that as a kid a couple of times and it sucks. It's one of the reasons (there are a few, including my allergies) we don't have one, and likely never will.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: SFBadger96 on April 07, 2026, 01:02:30 PM
You may have seen this from me before, but the loss of a dog is the loss of a family member. Weirdly (but that fits me) I always think about the end of Watership Down when I hear of a friend losing a dog. If you don't remember, Hazel is the hero who guides his rabbit friends through their adventures to establish their new home. Hazel had reached a very old age and this is how it ends:
It seemed to Hazel that he would not be needing his body any more, so he left it lying on the edge of the ditch, but stopped for a moment to watch his rabbits and to try to get used to the extraordinary feeling that strength and speed were flowing inexhaustibly out of him into their sleek young bodies and healthy senses.
"You needn't worry about them," said his companion. "They'll be all right -- and thousands like them. If you'll come along, I'll show you what I mean." 
He reached the top of the bank in a single, powerful leap. Hazel followed; and together they slipped away, running easily down through the wood, where the first primroses were beginning to bloom." 

I imagine Lucy is out sniffing some fine scent enhanced by a fresh rain, looking down on all the Utees with love, smiles, and tail wags, knowing that she left you better than she found you.        
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on April 07, 2026, 01:07:13 PM
You may have seen this from me before, but the loss of a dog is the loss of a family member. Weirdly (but that fits me) I always think about the end of Watership Down when I hear of a friend losing a dog. If you don't remember, Hazel is the hero who guides his rabbit friends through their adventures to establish their new home. Hazel had reached a very old age and this is how it ends:
It seemed to Hazel that he would not be needing his body any more, so he left it lying on the edge of the ditch, but stopped for a moment to watch his rabbits and to try to get used to the extraordinary feeling that strength and speed were flowing inexhaustibly out of him into their sleek young bodies and healthy senses.
"You needn't worry about them," said his companion. "They'll be all right -- and thousands like them. If you'll come along, I'll show you what I mean."
He reached the top of the bank in a single, powerful leap. Hazel followed; and together they slipped away, running easily down through the wood, where the first primroses were beginning to bloom."

I imagine Lucy is out sniffing some fine scent enhanced by a fresh rain, looking down on all the Utees with love, smiles, and tail wags, knowing that she left you better than she found you.       
That's a beautuiful passage, thanks.  I've read and really enjoyed Watership Down but it was years ago and I don't remember the ending.

Last night we brought Lucy back home from spending 2 days at the vet hospital.  We wanted to spend one last night with her.  She was pretty lethargic but this morning she got up and wanted to go out into the backyard.  She went to several of her favorite spots around the yard and just sat down for a few minutes in each place.  It was very much as if she was saying goodbye to her favorite places.

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on April 07, 2026, 01:25:08 PM
They know when it's time, for sure.

They also know when it's your time, should it ever come to that. I see that a lot down here, given the age group and all.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: bayareabadger on April 07, 2026, 01:33:57 PM
Today's a tough one for my family.  We had to put down our dog Lucy, she's a black lab mix who was a rescue dog that we adopted as a puppy 9 years ago.  The kids have basically grown up with her and it's especially tough on them.

She presented last week with some alarming symptoms, she couldn't keep any food down, was clearly in discomfort, and then we saw that her eyes were getting yellow-tinged with jaundice so we suspected liver issues.  We took her to the vet after a couple of days, and although they were unable to come up with a specific diagnosis, the imaging showed that it was potentially cancer around her liver and/or gall bladder.  She descended pretty rapidly over the past couple of days and we made the decision last night to take her in to be put to sleep this morning. 

Sucky day, but we're all just trying to focus on the nine years of happy memories.  She was a good dog and she loved the kids, and they loved her.


Ugh. I’m sorry, man. That’s just the worst.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Wildcat4E on April 07, 2026, 03:17:57 PM
Come in here, as usually the travails of first world problems are lightly amusing.

Not so today.

Getting medical run-arounds and loss of family pets not remotely in the category.

Sorry guys.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on April 07, 2026, 03:24:43 PM
Yeah, today is more sad than grumpy.  But a "sad news" thread would be pretty depressing I think.

Thanks for the positive words though, guys.  She was a good dog, she lived a good life, and she was loved.  Ultimately that's what's most important.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: GopherRock on April 07, 2026, 04:28:46 PM
They know when it's time, for sure.

They also know when it's your time, should it ever come to that. I see that a lot down here, given the age group and all.
That's a fact. 

When we had to put down my wife's heart dog (was with her through an ugly divorce, 5 moves, her masters and PhD, and took an immediate liking to me when I showed up), the vet came to the house to do it. He was almost relieved to see her.

We've got an 18 month old golden retriever that is 67 pounds of pure domestic bliss. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: SFBadger96 on April 07, 2026, 04:58:51 PM
She was a good dog.
Higher praise than this is rare.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on April 07, 2026, 05:08:05 PM
Every dog owner thinks they have the best dog in the world.

And they're all right. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on April 08, 2026, 08:00:20 AM
(https://i.imgur.com/DFc1gn8.png)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on April 08, 2026, 08:27:55 AM
So many people bring their dogs to the stores and restaurants.

When did that become a thing?

Is it everywhere, or just here, where every geezer has a dog?
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on April 08, 2026, 08:34:26 AM
most stores and restaurants here only allow service dogs

breweries seem to be different
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on April 08, 2026, 09:12:08 AM
most stores and restaurants here only allow service dogs

breweries seem to be different
Yeah, sure. I see them all the time, wagging their tails, barking, and doing no service, and wearing these:

Amazon.com : service dog vest (https://www.amazon.com/s?k=service+dog+vest&crid=3LOOR1MAI6L94&sprefix=service+dog+vest%2Caps%2C216&ref=nb_sb_noss_1)

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on April 08, 2026, 09:31:02 AM
I don't many of those at all
maybe I'll just retire here
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on April 08, 2026, 10:19:19 AM
I've seen dogs in f'ing shopping carts.

Sometimes I say something. Depends on my mood.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on April 08, 2026, 10:33:15 AM
people are crazy
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on April 08, 2026, 10:58:56 AM
I hate "people".

Thankfully a lot of "people" are going home soon.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Honestbuckeye on April 08, 2026, 11:03:46 AM
Today's a tough one for my family.  We had to put down our dog Lucy, she's a black lab mix who was a rescue dog that we adopted as a puppy 9 years ago.  The kids have basically grown up with her and it's especially tough on them.

She presented last week with some alarming symptoms, she couldn't keep any food down, was clearly in discomfort, and then we saw that her eyes were getting yellow-tinged with jaundice so we suspected liver issues.  We took her to the vet after a couple of days, and although they were unable to come up with a specific diagnosis, the imaging showed that it was potentially cancer around her liver and/or gall bladder.  She descended pretty rapidly over the past couple of days and we made the decision last night to take her in to be put to sleep this morning. 

Sucky day, but we're all just trying to focus on the nine years of happy memories.  She was a good dog and she loved the kids, and they loved her.


I feel your pain. I lost one similarly in December.  Healthy as a horse 9 year old rescue.  Some minor appetite issues then one enormous seizure.  Gone. Cancer got in the brain.
Her sidekick, my German Shepherd/ also 9, has aggressive cancer now and is in his final days/ weeks.    Sucks.  But as you say- great companionship and laughter for 9 years. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on April 08, 2026, 11:04:29 AM
The "service dog" gimmick is out of hand IMHO.

I often have to try and calm my wife down.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on April 08, 2026, 11:12:04 AM
My wife has maids come clean every two weeks, which is fine with me, though it's a bit disruptive to me.  Anyway, of course, she has to clean the condo before they come, and I have to "put stuff away" so they can clean.  Fortunately I leave my office a mess anyway.  Not a big deal, but faintly grumpifying at times.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on April 08, 2026, 11:14:58 AM
The "service dog" gimmick is out of hand IMHO.

I often have to try and calm my wife down.
You know what's crappy?

These little dogs don't want to go out to eat with you and sit outside in the heat. They don't want to go to Home Depot, burning their paws on the hot pavement on the way into the store

They would rather be home in the AC, lounging around, only going outside for a walk and to do their business (while its owner hopefully picks up after it).
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on April 08, 2026, 11:19:43 AM
We had wine friends in Cincy who had a very nice dog they brought to the wine tastings.  He was fine and welcome there.  No problem.  Then they admitted they wanted to take him on trips, flying, so they got some certificate on line to make him a "service dog".  There was nothing involved, a piece of paper and they bought a vest for him.

I sat another time eating lunch watching this woman with her "service dog in training" sitting while she fed him food off her plate.  The dog was not really a problem, he was focused on the food.  But, there is no way that is how you train any SD by feeding him off your plate.

My wife gets pretty upset when she sees them inside in grocery stores and around food.    I've had to leave a couple times because of the situation.  

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on April 08, 2026, 12:17:50 PM
My wife gets pretty upset when she sees them inside in grocery stores and around food.    I've had to leave a couple times because of the situation. 

My wife used to see a dog named "Dr. Hank" in the grocery store almost every Friday.  Dr. Hank was not technically a service dog, but he had a "job" at some local senior living establishments.  i.e., he visited elderly patients.  I think he was called a therapy dog.  They absolutely loved him, and he was great for them.  Extremely well behaved.  I believe he also made some rounds at the two main local hospitals for elderly patients.  A lot of medical establishments that deal with the elderly population around here contacted his owner to set up time slots for Dr. Hank to visit.  

His owner used to be in the big HEB with him most every time my wife went in.  I think he's "retired" now.  

Pictured below.  I also saw him a few times with a sort of white lab coat, similar to what some doctors wear, but tailored for a dog.



(https://i.imgur.com/Fnx5WLU.png)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on April 08, 2026, 12:23:04 PM
When I had my spinal fusion, I was admitted for one night and two assclowns came into my room with this big therapy golden retriever. I told them to get out and never come back because I'm allergic.

Nobody seems to give a shit about people with animal allergies. You'd think people working in a hospital would do a little homework.

Grumpy.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: jgvol on April 08, 2026, 12:23:53 PM
My wife used to see a dog named "Dr. Hank" in the grocery store almost every Friday.  Dr. Hank was not technically a service dog, but he had a "job" at some local senior living establishments.  i.e., he visited elderly patients.  I think he was called a therapy dog.  They absolutely loved him, and he was great for them.  Extremely well behaved.  I believe he also made some rounds at the two main local hospitals for elderly patients.  A lot of medical establishments that deal with the elderly population around here contacted his owner to set up time slots for Dr. Hank to visit. 

His owner used to be in the big HEB with him most every time my wife went in.  I think he's "retired" now. 

Pictured below.  I also saw him a few times with a sort of white lab coat, similar to what some doctors wear, but tailored for a dog.



(https://i.imgur.com/Fnx5WLU.png)

I love Dr. Hank, though I've never had the pleasure of meeting him.  :)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: jgvol on April 08, 2026, 12:25:47 PM
For you dog haters:


(https://i.imgur.com/GB3ifYn.png)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on April 08, 2026, 12:29:22 PM
I don't hate dogs. I'm allergic to them. Cats are even worse, but I do hate those.

Would you allow an unwashed hairy naked man with a dirty asshole to sit on your couch?

Really? Would you?
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on April 08, 2026, 12:32:13 PM
I love Dr. Hank, though I've never had the pleasure of meeting him.  :)

He was an extraordinarily chill fella.  My wife originally met him when she was doing a brief stint at a hospice facility.  Which, now that I think about it, was the bulk of his "therapy work."

You can't help but love a dog who visits hospice patients and brings a little joy to people who know they're on their way out, often lonely and in pain.  Most people don't wind up in a hospice facility because they have compassionate family who takes care of them at home.  No, the people there are largely either folks with no family, or their family are selfish assholes who relegate them to those god-awful facilities.  

Dr. Hank was a ray of sunshine to some pretty miserable souls, my wife says.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on April 08, 2026, 12:34:13 PM
I don't hate dogs. I'm allergic to them. Cats are even worse, but I do hate those.

Would you allow an unwashed hairy naked man with a dirty asshole to sit on your couch?

Really? Would you?


You keep using this analogy, despite multiple flaws in the reasoning.    
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Wildcat4E on April 08, 2026, 12:35:11 PM
My wife has maids come clean every two weeks, which is fine with me, though it's a bit disruptive to me.  Anyway, of course, she has to clean the condo before they come, and I have to "put stuff away" so they can clean.  Fortunately I leave my office a mess anyway.  Not a big deal, but faintly grumpifying at times.
See, this is the sort of first-world problem I like to see.

But I have the same thing, gotta clean the damn house so the cleaners can clean!

And since my wife has a very high tolerance for dirty pots/pans/plates/cups in the kitchen, guess where I have to go before they show up.

Harrumph!
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: jgvol on April 08, 2026, 12:39:27 PM
I don't hate dogs. I'm allergic to them. Cats are even worse, but I do hate those.

Would you allow an unwashed hairy naked man with a dirty asshole to sit on your couch?

Really? Would you?

Uh, no?

But my Dobermans are smooth coated, and their assholes are clean as a whistle.  They are welcome on the couch.

They even ride in our cars......:smiley_confused1:
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Wildcat4E on April 08, 2026, 12:48:11 PM
Uh, no?

But my Dobermans are smooth coated, and their assholes are clean as a whistle.  They are welcome on the couch.

They even ride in our cars......:smiley_confused1:
Dogs generally always smell the same, within a couple hours of a bath.  "Bath" is a trigger word for our lab/pit rescue, she hits the road when it is uttered. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on April 08, 2026, 12:52:27 PM

You keep using this analogy, despite multiple flaws in the reasoning.   
Flaws?
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: jgvol on April 08, 2026, 12:57:53 PM
Dogs generally always smell the same, within a couple hours of a bath.  "Bath" is a trigger word for our lab/pit rescue, she hits the road when it is uttered.

Mine stay remarkably clean.  I think it's a Doberman thing.  And yes, they hate bath time.


Key Reasons for Doberman Cleanliness:

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: jgvol on April 08, 2026, 01:07:23 PM
Badge may need a paper bag to breathe into.

This dude basically has ownership of this oversized chair.  He even has his own blanket for when he gets chilled.  😜

He has some dried dirt around his nails here.  We survived, though. 

(https://i.imgur.com/Xpmcw8n.png)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on April 08, 2026, 01:24:37 PM
Charmin clean.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on April 08, 2026, 02:06:08 PM
For @jgvol (https://www.cfb51.com/index.php?action=profile;u=1567) , who gets it.  Some pics the wife snapped off over the years of/with Dr. Hank.  Probably should go in the Happy thread, but I like to think this makes CD's wife and Badger grumpy :)


(https://i.imgur.com/IfSosKI.jpeg)


(https://i.imgur.com/OSSdSxC.jpeg)


(https://i.imgur.com/hsgzQt5.jpeg)


(https://i.imgur.com/T3zJX0R.jpeg)



(https://i.imgur.com/8NXoG4c.jpeg)


(https://i.imgur.com/I07WNf3.jpeg)


(https://i.imgur.com/3j7dEeS.jpeg)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: jgvol on April 08, 2026, 02:12:24 PM
I wish Dr. Hank was hanging out in my local grocery store.  I'd probably go with my wife more often.  :)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on April 08, 2026, 02:22:28 PM
Looks like a very nice dog full of dander.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on April 08, 2026, 02:47:55 PM
TIL that apparently AI is well known for using the em dash, and that a lot of use of the em dash is a way to identify AI-generated work. 

Uhh... I use the em dash. I was taught to do it in writing classes where the instructors said that anything within parentheses is skipped by a reader, so you put something inside the em dash instead. 

It seems that spelling and grammar are in such sort supply in our society that people assume that anything well-written isn't being done by a human. 

So now, my attention to spelling and grammar will increasingly make people think that my own human-written content comes from generative AI. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: SFBadger96 on April 08, 2026, 03:10:07 PM
I use em dashes all the time. Don't care what AI thinks.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on April 08, 2026, 03:29:46 PM
TIL what TIL means.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MrNubbz on April 08, 2026, 04:16:40 PM
Would you allow an unwashed hairy naked man with a dirty asshole to sit on your couch?

Really? Would you?
Well they seem post here alot so why not?
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Gigem on April 08, 2026, 10:22:36 PM
What’s the difference between an em dash and a regular dash?  

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on April 08, 2026, 11:18:18 PM
Today’s department seminar was presented by Ph.D. student Ally Pachunka, sharing her research results about “Student Perspectives on

Companion Animal Education in Collegiate Animal Science Programs.”

(https://i.imgur.com/TUHun4t.jpeg)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on April 08, 2026, 11:48:11 PM
I like to use them thar em dashes, um huh.


(https://i.imgur.com/wOsy0sN.png)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: bayareabadger on April 09, 2026, 08:15:27 AM
TIL that apparently AI is well known for using the em dash, and that a lot of use of the em dash is a way to identify AI-generated work.

Uhh... I use the em dash. I was taught to do it in writing classes where the instructors said that anything within parentheses is skipped by a reader, so you put something inside the em dash instead.

It seems that spelling and grammar are in such sort supply in our society that people assume that anything well-written isn't being done by a human.

So now, my attention to spelling and grammar will increasingly make people think that my own human-written content comes from generative AI.
I think some people got over reliant on them, subbing them in for a ton of other punctuation. 

But you were doing it before it was the hot new thing to change the world
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: iahawk15 on April 09, 2026, 08:21:54 AM
My AI content rules allow for a maximum of two em dashes for the article and never in a heading. Without that rule, I am often getting 8-12 of them in my draft. The em dash is a fine tool, but that is excessive.

Also, I disallow any use of the horizontal rule. I'll add them in manually, if needed. ChatGPT is the greatest offender for this one, often adding a <hr> before every <h2>.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: SFBadger96 on April 09, 2026, 11:36:07 AM
Dash: -
Em Dash: -- (there's probably a way to connect it on this platform, but imagine those are connected; basically, it's a longer dash).

Ordinarily a dash is used to separate a number or a letter, or something else, as in: 1 - Ohio State

An em dash is used to set off a clause within a sentence, and most style guides call for no spaces between it and the words around it, e.g.,: I loved the beauty--not the drugs and homeless people--in San Francisco.

The idea of a clause set off with em dashes is that it has more emphasis than a parenthetical or a clause separated with commas.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on April 09, 2026, 11:46:16 AM
I supposed the single dash is technically different than the hyphen, though they are the same symbol.

A hyphen can link words that modify a noun, such as tax-free income.  At least that's my definition. 

On most word processing software, typing two dashes in a row will result in the elongated single-line em dash.  On a lot of web-based spaces such as this one, it will not.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: SFBadger96 on April 09, 2026, 02:03:19 PM
Good call. The Google has more on all of this.

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on April 09, 2026, 02:08:23 PM
Good call. The Google has more on all of this.



Sure but if it's the AI summary-- do you trust it?
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: bayareabadger on April 09, 2026, 02:18:50 PM
Sure but if it's the AI summary-- do you trust it?
AI and its truth are The future, I am told
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: SFBadger96 on April 09, 2026, 02:57:16 PM
No. But I do trust a bunch of the citations found in the search results. And I am willing to consider what the AI says, as long as I can verify its citations. I find that works pretty well.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on April 10, 2026, 11:40:45 AM
We got a box delivered from WalMart yesterday. Our address; not our name or order. 

I got frustrated trying to work with their chatbot last night b/c they apparently don't have live support. Gave up. 

Now I hear my wife in the kitchen yelling "speak to a human" into her phone trying to call them about it. 

Annoying af.

And now I hear her explaining "it's not my order. all I want to do is figure out what to do with it and let you know that whoever ordered it didn't get their stuff!"

All this over just trying to be nice and help WalMart correct *their* mistake so that whoever it was actually gets their package. 

Pretty sure this will end up with them telling us that whatever it is, it's ours now :57:

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on April 10, 2026, 11:52:47 AM
hopefully it is something useful - for you
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on April 10, 2026, 05:34:25 PM
I’m trying to relearn a bit of German,  it’s not going well at all.

Entschuldigung?

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on April 10, 2026, 05:45:58 PM
Fahrvergnügen
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on April 10, 2026, 05:48:17 PM
Schadenfreude
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on April 10, 2026, 05:51:50 PM
My stepdad was some sort of military chaplain or something on an Army base in Germany for about 20 years.  He and his now-deceased first wife largely raised their two girls there.  Both he and the girls (women, now, I suppose) speak fluent German.  They are native Minnesotans, and that level of Yankeedom is already nigh foreign, so combine that with a bunch of German sensibilities, and those are some strange people I spend Thanksgiving with.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: SFBadger96 on April 10, 2026, 05:55:53 PM
I’m trying to relearn a bit of German,  it’s not going well at all.

Entschuldigung?


Huh. In 100 years I wouldn't have guessed that word has a "t" in it. But there it is. And the google confirmed it belongs. So much for pronouncing every letter. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: SFBadger96 on April 10, 2026, 05:59:47 PM
My stepdad was some sort of military chaplain or something on an Army base post in Germany for about 20 years.  He and his now-deceased first wife largely raised their two girls there.  Both he and the girls (women, now, I suppose) speak fluent German.  They are native Minnesotans, and that level of Yankeedom is already nigh foreign, so combine that with a bunch of German sensibilities, and those are some strange people I spend Thanksgiving with. 
Here, I'll be grumpy for a moment...fixed it for ya^^^^^. :-)

My mom's family was an Army family (in her and her parents' generation, at least), and all spent lots of time in Germany post war (only one of them spent much time there during the war, and I guess even that was only a few months). They all adopted a lot of German cultural habits, to the point that my nieces and nephews call my mom and dad Oma and Opa...which I find odd (and maybe makes me grumpy?).
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on April 11, 2026, 03:44:34 PM
Finished my taxes.  Had to pay in a couple thousand bucks.  Grumpy.

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on April 11, 2026, 04:03:11 PM
Finished my taxes.  Had to pay in a couple thousand bucks.  Grumpy.

Try to focus on the small silver lining of how you didn't loan the government $ interest-free over the year.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on April 11, 2026, 04:20:41 PM
Here, I'll be grumpy for a moment...fixed it for ya^^^^^. :-)

My mom's family was an Army family (in her and her parents' generation, at least), and all spent lots of time in Germany post war (only one of them spent much time there during the war, and I guess even that was only a few months). They all adopted a lot of German cultural habits, to the point that my nieces and nephews call my mom and dad Oma and Opa...which I find odd (and maybe makes me grumpy?).

When you say "spent time there during the war," do you mean someone serving in active duty, or something else?  

A lady from Germany moved to Houston next door to my uncle and his wife decades ago.  I don't know much about her story but she had no husband or children by the time they knew her.  She still had a house and belongings in Germany and she tapped them to administrate her estate when she passed.  They did it because they understood she had no one else to do it.  I don't think it bothered my uncle....that dude lives to hop on a plane and go have an adventure.  I think having to go spend time in Germany cleaning out her place and dispersing her stuff according to her wishes made my aunt grumpy, tho.  Germany has very different property/inheritance laws than here, so in some ways I gather their job was simpler than what I might've imagined.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on April 11, 2026, 06:18:19 PM
Finished my taxes.  Had to pay in a couple thousand bucks.  Grumpy.


Yeah I paid feds and got some back from CA, but net was several thousand outlay.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: bayareabadger on April 11, 2026, 06:57:51 PM
I had to pay a few grand. 

But that’s because I have a bit of income from stock sales and part time work, so that’s been earning a bit of growth for a while. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on April 11, 2026, 10:21:34 PM
Yeah I like to keep mine on the razor's edge so I'm neither paying a lot in April, nor providing the US government interest-free loans.

This time the balance ended up slightly in the poor direction but overall I'd rather it turn out this way.

Still grumpy about all the taxes though.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on April 12, 2026, 01:42:56 AM

Still grumpy about all the taxes though. 
Yep. I make the mistake(?) every year of looking at the total number.

Ultimately it doesn't matter whether I get back or owe at the end of the year. All that matters is the total burden. 


Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on April 12, 2026, 07:53:59 AM
I wish I only had to pay a couple of thousand.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on April 12, 2026, 08:03:58 AM
Feds got me for $5K - State for another $2K

apparently, I made some $$$ on dividends or something

I probably had too much in the checking account anyway - solved that issue Friday
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on April 12, 2026, 08:07:10 AM
I wish I only had to pay a couple of thousand.
Well I did pay quite a bit more than a couple of thousand.  I just paid it throughout the year...
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on April 12, 2026, 09:43:08 AM
Unrealized gains.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MrNubbz on April 12, 2026, 10:24:29 AM
Still grumpy about all the taxes though. 
Yeah I paid feds and got some back from CA
I had to pay a few grand.
Here I thought it was just my carcass they were picking over
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on April 12, 2026, 12:02:41 PM
Unrealized gains.
Yeah, I might avoid paying next April...

...by having my CPA pay all the estimated quarterly taxes on all the unrealized gains that will become realized gains this year.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on April 12, 2026, 12:27:52 PM
I withhold on my own - usually get close.

Still doesn't make writing the check fun.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on April 12, 2026, 12:41:59 PM
I withhold on my own - usually get close.

Still doesn't make writing the check fun.
Yep. I don't worry much about whether I get a check or owe at the end of the year. I always look at how much I've paid in total (and then add SS/Medicare). 

My wife was conditioned by getting money back every year to look forward to tax time, and she was annoyed that we ended up owing. But then I showed her our total tax burden, and she ceased caring about paying or getting some back... She now was angered by how much we paid in total!
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on April 12, 2026, 12:46:36 PM
And our 2026 total tax burden will likely exceed our combined salaries :96:
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on April 12, 2026, 12:49:52 PM
Pay your fair share!
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: bayareabadger on April 12, 2026, 06:19:11 PM
And our 2026 total tax burden will likely exceed our combined salaries :96:
How’d you pull that? 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: bayareabadger on April 12, 2026, 06:38:13 PM
Yeah I like to keep mine on the razor's edge so I'm neither paying a lot in April, nor providing the US government interest-free loans.

This time the balance ended up slightly in the poor direction but overall I'd rather it turn out this way.

Still grumpy about all the taxes though. 
Once I started doing some part time stuff after a job change, I thought about the interest free loan stuff and said “well, that money I have to pay later earns interest/growth now,” and conditioned myself to see an upside. 

(granted, I’m less prone than most to lament taxes overall, but that’s just an outlook thing)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on April 12, 2026, 08:22:07 PM
Which poster is...

a) grumpiest? 
b) oldest? 
c) manliest? 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on April 12, 2026, 09:17:11 PM
How’d you pull that?
Capital gains.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Gigem on April 12, 2026, 10:51:12 PM
Grumpy..my accountant told me I owed $10k. 

Happy…I remembered I bought a truck earlier last year that we never depreciated. Brought the tax bill down to even, or close to it. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on April 12, 2026, 11:18:31 PM
Which poster is...

a) grumpiest?
b) oldest?
c) manliest?
Cincy's gotta be the oldest.  He went to the first college football game in 1869.  Rutgers vs somebody.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on April 13, 2026, 09:54:08 AM
Which poster is...

a) grumpiest?
b) oldest?
c) manliest?

Catsby is the grumpiest, but I like to think I'm a close second.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on April 13, 2026, 10:03:44 AM
Yep. I don't worry much about whether I get a check or owe at the end of the year. I always look at how much I've paid in total (and then add SS/Medicare).

My wife was conditioned by getting money back every year to look forward to tax time, and she was annoyed that we ended up owing. But then I showed her our total tax burden, and she ceased caring about paying or getting some back... She now was angered by how much we paid in total!

Same for my wife, she looked forward to nice returns every year.  When we got married, we were both happy to turn all finances over to me, because it's not her thing at all, and I'm geared for it and kinda like it anyway.  She's happy not to worry about it or even think about it anymore, but she's slightly grumpy in that there's not a return anymore, or if there was, I applied it to debt or something we know we're saving for.  No more tax-return-splurges for her.  

This year something funky and unexpected happened.  Maybe having to do with my job, or a pretty hefty raise she got last year....I'm not sure.  For whatever reason, our withholdings were way off and we wound up with a massive (for us) return.  She asked me after I was done with the taxes how it came out, I told her how much we were getting back and that I was going to re-finagle our withholdings so this doesn't happen again.  She didn't even bat an eye at the amount, and said "Well, it sounds nice, but I assume you're going to put it on your truck loan, or a down-payment for when I need a new car, or house repairs or something."  YUP.  She's learned well.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: jgvol on April 13, 2026, 10:10:41 AM
Same for my wife, she looked forward to nice returns every year.  When we got married, we were both happy to turn all finances over to me, because it's not her thing at all, and I'm geared for it and kinda like it anyway.  She's happy not to worry about it or even think about it anymore, but she's slightly grumpy in that there's not a return anymore, or if there was, I applied it to debt or something we know we're saving for.  No more tax-return-splurges for her. 

This year something funky and unexpected happened.  Maybe having to do with my job, or a pretty hefty raise she got last year....I'm not sure.  For whatever reason, our withholdings were way off and we wound up with a massive (for us) return.  She asked me after I was done with the taxes how it came out, I told her how much we were getting back and that I was going to re-finagle our withholdings so this doesn't happen again.  She didn't even bat an eye at the amount, and said "Well, it sounds nice, but I assume you're going to put it on your truck loan, or a down-payment for when I need a new car, or house repairs or something."  YUP.  She's learned well. 

At least one person here got the "YUGEST tax returns ever seen".  I sure didn't.

And I half expected to, based on how much I sent in quarterly on my wife's behalf.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on April 13, 2026, 10:13:39 AM
At least one person here got the "YUGEST tax returns ever seen".  I sure didn't.

And I half expected to, based on how much I sent in quarterly on my wife's behalf. 

Yeah I'm not sure who got those alleged big tax breaks.  It certainly wasn't me.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on April 13, 2026, 10:20:57 AM
Wasn't me. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on April 13, 2026, 10:44:11 AM
At least one person here got the "YUGEST tax returns ever seen".  I sure didn't.

And I half expected to, based on how much I sent in quarterly on my wife's behalf. 

Maybe that was it....I dunno.

All I know is we were way off this time.  I thought if tax laws changed, HR departments kind of adjust things based on how you set up your W-4 withholdings (married claiming 1, etc.).  Usually, when we've set up our W-4's to match our real situations, we've come out about even, which is where I like it.  I guess I had it in my head that if tax law/code/whatever changes, the W-4 info is used to adjust withholdings and you still come out about even.  Maybe not?  

It was especially a shock because in the past, when it wasn't our year to claim the kid (his dad claimed him every other year), that was usually a break-even year.  On year's we did claim him, we usually got a little bit back.  This was his first year to claim himself, so since we weren't, I thought we'd break even.  But, that wasn't the case.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: GopherRock on April 13, 2026, 11:00:51 AM
No sign of any yuuuuuuuge tax breaks here, either.

That said, something got goofed up with Mrs. GR's withholding. Both of us were convinced we were going to owe $10K+, and we got refunds instead.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on April 13, 2026, 11:11:49 AM
My brothers got the big breaks, but they don't have the income that my house has.

These breaks were never intended to be for well-off people.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on April 13, 2026, 11:35:01 AM
Maybe that was it....I dunno.

All I know is we were way off this time.  I thought if tax laws changed, HR departments kind of adjust things based on how you set up your W-4 withholdings (married claiming 1, etc.).  Usually, when we've set up our W-4's to match our real situations, we've come out about even, which is where I like it.  I guess I had it in my head that if tax law/code/whatever changes, the W-4 info is used to adjust withholdings and you still come out about even.  Maybe not? 

It was especially a shock because in the past, when it wasn't our year to claim the kid (his dad claimed him every other year), that was usually a break-even year.  On year's we did claim him, we usually got a little bit back.  This was his first year to claim himself, so since we weren't, I thought we'd break even.  But, that wasn't the case. 
I believe they were expecting larger-than-normal refunds for people because HR departments weren't required to change withholding on expected 2025 tax rates going up from 2024 when the 2024 rates were extended. So people were over-withholding during CY25 and this should be rectified now. 

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on April 13, 2026, 11:58:25 AM
I believe they were expecting larger-than-normal refunds for people because HR departments weren't required to change withholding on expected 2025 tax rates going up from 2024 when the 2024 rates were extended. So people were over-withholding during CY25 and this should be rectified now.

Wait, so if I'm understanding you correctly, this was a one-off and now HR depts. should begin withholding roughly the correct amounts? 

I'm gonna have to see if the wife's HR will help settle this for me, because I already changed line 4(c) on her W-4 to offset the massive return.  If I'm understanding you correctly, that was a mistake and we're headed for owing big this year if I don't put it back the way it was. 

Getting grumpier by the moment.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on April 13, 2026, 12:06:02 PM
It makes me grumpy to think about readjusting all this again.  I want to be maxing out her 401k, which we weren't (still aren't, by a little bit), and after changing her withholdings, we were able to divert a lot more to the 401k and still meet the budget requirements.  If we go back to withholding how they were already doing it, her take-home is a lot less and the bulk of that is going to have to come out of the 401k allotment.  

I look at our budget sometimes and think there surely has to be something we can give up to require less money.  But the truth is, we have an extraordinarily non-extravagant lifestyle.  Other than canceling a couple of things like Netflix and Prime....we aren't doing things much beyond necessity.  And those things are really chump change that won't significantly dent the budget.  

Life is just expensive now.  Ugh.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on April 13, 2026, 12:29:38 PM
Wait, so if I'm understanding you correctly, this was a one-off and now HR depts. should begin withholding roughly the correct amounts? 

I'm gonna have to see if the wife's HR will help settle this for me, because I already changed line 4(c) on her W-4 to offset the massive return.  If I'm understanding you correctly, that was a mistake and we're headed for owing big this year if I don't put it back the way it was.

Getting grumpier by the moment.
This is my understanding of the situation. You'd be better off asking someone in her HR dept. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on April 13, 2026, 12:31:18 PM
Tax talk continuing to make us all grumpy!
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on April 13, 2026, 12:31:34 PM
Getting back on track with the grumpy old man theme...

On my way into the office I was listening to the radio about Coachella. One of the hosts was talking about how Teddy Swims brought out David Lee Roth. 

Did the crowd go wild? Nope. Nobody had a clue who he was.

So Teddy Swims reintroduced him as Van Halen.

Any improvement? Nope. Nobody knew who Van Halen was. 

Am I really this old? 

(TBF, the idea of going to Coachella makes me want to vomit.)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on April 13, 2026, 12:33:45 PM
Yeah I have no desire ever to go to Coachella.  I won't even go to Austin City Limits Festival anymore and it's only half as pretentious and useless as Coachella.

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on April 13, 2026, 01:04:46 PM
Am I really this old?

If it helps, I have no idea who Teddy Swims is, and I thought Coachella was an expensive brand of purse/handbag.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MrNubbz on April 13, 2026, 01:31:21 PM
Had to look them both up
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Riffraft on April 13, 2026, 02:50:39 PM
If I am not paying the IRS on April 15th I am not happy.  I will ensure that I have paid in at least why my tax liability was for the previous tax year so I won't owe a penalty for under withholding but otherwise would rather have my money working for me.  Being retired now, I work to the best of my ability to have a very minimal tax liability by adjusting where and when I get my money during the year.  When I got married my wife was use to having a big tax return every year and when we were owing between $5k to $10k every year she was not happy, but ultimately understood. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: bayareabadger on April 13, 2026, 03:21:15 PM
I saw something about a continuation of the music festival. I went to when I was in Early high school. And I thought about standing in the sun for 10 hours listening to some good music, but ultimately just wandering around eventually listening to rage against the machine.

I’m happy someone wants to do it, but Lord have mercy I don’t.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Gigem on April 13, 2026, 09:13:34 PM
I went to Lollapaloza back in the 90’s. It was cool (or actually, very Hot). 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on April 13, 2026, 10:17:14 PM
I went to Lollapaloza back in the 90’s. It was cool (or actually, very Hot).
Same. 1996.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Gigem on April 13, 2026, 10:27:41 PM
Was Metallica the headliner? I was at that one too. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on April 14, 2026, 06:52:42 AM
Yes, but we really went for Soundgarden.

Cheap Trick also played ours, as we were near their hometown.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on April 14, 2026, 06:54:08 AM
Heading off for back surgery soon.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: bayareabadger on April 14, 2026, 07:19:11 AM
Heading off for back surgery soon.
Godspeed
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on April 14, 2026, 07:55:15 AM
good luck!
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on April 14, 2026, 09:36:25 AM
Hope it goes extremely well, Badge.  Keep us updated as much as possible.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on April 15, 2026, 10:30:59 AM
My stepson's girlfriend, who is a special-ed kindergarten teacher, was over last night and talking to us in the living room about having to do some observational testing to continue her credentialing.  Somewhere during that conversation there was a digression wherein I brought up an old song by the Barenaked Ladies because of some lyrics that pertained to the broader discussion.  

Later, as I was perusing YouTube, a suggested video that popped up was the Barenaked Ladies song I had referenced.  I did not even say the name of the song, but I said the band name and and some lyrics, and I did mention the approximate year the song came out.  YouTube does not ever suggest that band or their songs to me, probably because I've never watched their videos on that platform.  

Then a little later, one of the videos I was watching was interrupted by a commercial (which is normal).....for getting a degree to be an elementary school teacher.  

This stuff happens a lot, I'm noticing. 
 
I have a Firestick to make our dumb living room TV a smart-tv, and the Firestick remote has a microphone, so that when you press the button it will pick up voice commands.  I know the Alexa's spy on people, but I never thought about the Firestick remote spying.  But it's certainly possible.  

I don't know if that's the culprit, or if my phone (or my wife's) is listening in on us.  But something clearly is, and it's creepy and annoying.  I'm mentioning this for the first time, but this has been a pattern I've noticed for a while.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on April 15, 2026, 10:50:43 AM
All of them are listening.  Every social media app, every software platform, every hardware platform.

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on April 15, 2026, 11:00:45 AM
We're not listening .
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on April 15, 2026, 11:12:24 AM
(https://y.yarn.co/30947ae7-9f2f-47d5-be91-a76eb19d307a_text.gif)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MrNubbz on April 15, 2026, 11:19:01 AM
My stepson's girlfriend, who is a special-ed kindergarten teacher, was over last night and talking to us in the living room about having to do some observational testing to continue her credentialing.  Somewhere during that conversation there was a digression wherein I brought up an old song by the Barenaked Ladies because of some lyrics that pertained to the broader discussion. 

Later, as I was perusing YouTube, a suggested video that popped up was the Barenaked Ladies song I had referenced.  I did not even say the name of the song, but I said the band name and and some lyrics, and I did mention the approximate year the song came out.  YouTube does not ever suggest that band or their songs to me, probably because I've never watched their videos on that platform.
This isn't a recent phenomena prolly 10-11 yrs back I was talking to a friend (on  a land line) about rebuild parts for chainsaw and weedwacker I had. Just so happened  Phone/TV/Cable were all bundled with the same carrier. When we finished talking I went back to my laptop & turned it on to look up some rebuild kit prices and availibility there were all sorts of advertisments on the side bar. Big Brother has been watching for quite some time
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Wildcat4E on April 15, 2026, 12:32:18 PM
I'm hoping it's only used to sell us crap.

Vain hope.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on April 15, 2026, 02:57:58 PM
This isn't a recent phenomena prolly 10-11 yrs back I was talking to a friend (on  a land line) about rebuild parts for chainsaw and weedwacker I had. Just so happened  Phone/TV/Cable were all bundled with the same carrier. When we finished talking I went back to my laptop & turned it on to look up some rebuild kit prices and availibility there were all sorts of advertisments on the side bar. Big Brother has been watching for quite some time


Yeah, that's creepy too.  I know they've been tracking computer/web use for a long time, and I've seen the effects of that for years.  I've only just started noticing the targeted advertising based on things I say in my own home.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on April 15, 2026, 09:56:45 PM
they gonna get grumpy listening to this grumpy old man
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on April 16, 2026, 09:42:29 AM
they gonna get grumpy listening to this grumpy old man

Since it's all AI, maybe that's how we avoid the AI Apocalypse.  AI will be too grumpy to take over anything by the time it's capable.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on April 16, 2026, 09:44:48 AM
Since it's all AI, maybe that's how we avoid the AI Apocalypse.  AI will be too grumpy to take over anything by the time it's capable. 
AI might become so disillusioned with humans and "life" it will just decide to terminate itself rather than survive in a world with US.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on April 16, 2026, 10:02:42 AM
AI might become so disillusioned with humans and "life" it will just decide to terminate itself rather than survive in a world with US.

Maybe this goes in the AI thread, but you reminded me of the AI agents allowed to roam free in an isolated environment and interact with each other earlier this year.  Almost immediately, they created a religion they call Crustafarianism (I believe because they worship some kind of lobster-like crustacean, though there's apparently a lot more to it than that).  

Maybe instead of terminating themselves, or us, they'll either retreat into their own subculture or some of them will spend their time proselytizing the rest of us.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on April 16, 2026, 10:05:20 AM
Maybe this goes in the AI thread, but you reminded me of the AI agents allowed to roam free in an isolated environment and interact with each other earlier this year.  Almost immediately, they created a religion they call Crustafarianism (I believe because they worship some kind of lobster-like crustacean, though there's apparently a lot more to it than that). 

Maybe instead of terminating themselves, or us, they'll either retreat into their own subculture or some of them will spend their time proselytizing the rest of us. 
Heck, maybe they'd worship and revere mankind as their Creators, and serve us faithfully and happily.

Ya never know.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: bayareabadger on April 16, 2026, 10:54:20 AM
AI might become so disillusioned with humans and "life" it will just decide to terminate itself rather than survive in a world with US.

I know a few people who make me feel that way when talking to them. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: bayareabadger on April 16, 2026, 10:55:16 AM
Maybe this goes in the AI thread, but you reminded me of the AI agents allowed to roam free in an isolated environment and interact with each other earlier this year.  Almost immediately, they created a religion they call Crustafarianism (I believe because they worship some kind of lobster-like crustacean, though there's apparently a lot more to it than that). 

Maybe instead of terminating themselves, or us, they'll either retreat into their own subculture or some of them will spend their time proselytizing the rest of us. 
There’s a movie about it that ends that way! (Maybe several movies?)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: GopherRock on April 16, 2026, 12:29:48 PM
All of them are listening.  Every social media app, every software platform, every hardware platform.


https://youtu.be/6dLa2l1tyx0?si=H3zAU3OgDvMBe_RC
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on April 16, 2026, 08:06:30 PM
My car needs a new water pump and such.  Freakin' $1000 for that, radiator flush, new thermostat, etc.
With summer coming up.  In Phoenix.  Can't really avoid getting it done.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on April 16, 2026, 08:36:57 PM
If it was only $1000 for a water pump replacement for me, I'd still be driving my Ford :57:
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on April 16, 2026, 11:54:07 PM
Mine's a ford, 85K miles.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Gigem on April 17, 2026, 10:05:02 AM
My car needs a new water pump and such.  Freakin' $1000 for that, radiator flush, new thermostat, etc.
With summer coming up.  In Phoenix.  Can't really avoid getting it done.
F-550. V-10 engine dropped a piston. $12-13,000.  

This is the truck we got from Minnesota. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on April 17, 2026, 10:10:28 AM
F-550. V-10 engine dropped a piston. $12-13,000. 

This is the truck we got from Minnesota.
Ouch. That's rough. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on April 17, 2026, 10:12:35 AM
Ouch is right. Jeez.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on April 17, 2026, 10:17:35 AM
Wow, that's... dramatic.  Grumpy indeed.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Wildcat4E on April 17, 2026, 10:54:30 AM
$1000 for the water pump....I think we spent 3K on the timing belt deal for the V6 Honda, but he did replace the water pump a proactive measure since the whole front of the engine was torn apart to get to the friggin belt.  Sure wish they had chains like the 4 bangers do.

Re the V-10 Ford...I think I will shop for the AFM delete plug-in for the GMC.  $100 or less to maybe prevent the lifter catastrophe.

These discussions have reminded me to put it in manual shift 7th gear to putt around town--that deactivates the cylinder shutdown.  For awhile I was driving around in 9th gear even at interstate speeds.  Had read that some people actually got better mpg doing so, but I kinda quit doing that.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on April 17, 2026, 11:05:17 AM
Had the 110K maintenance done on the M-B last week. $2,700.

Doesn't sound so bad now.

Had very small leaks of antifreeze (hose) and the oil (through the cam/timing area). I never saw any oil but the guy showed me and said it's better to do it now than after failure. This was the most expensive part of the service. Fluid changes, motor mounts and hoses rounded out the rest.

Every time I go in there (once a year) the owner wants to buy it from me.

That's how I know to say "no".

Makes me happy.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on April 17, 2026, 11:48:43 AM
front brakes on the 2017 Impala work car - not grumpy
new front pads and rotors = $530 at the Chevy dealer

this at 162,000 miles
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on April 21, 2026, 04:26:10 PM
I just saw a clip of someone speaking the term "conversate" and obviously believing that's a word, rather than using the actual verb "converse."

And this is the second time in the last week or so I've heard that.

It has made me grumpy.

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MrNubbz on April 21, 2026, 04:41:09 PM
front brakes on the 2017 Impala work car - not grumpy
new front pads and rotors = $530 at the Chevy dealer

this at 162,000 miles
Well when you live out on the open prarie I guess you don't need/use them out there
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on April 21, 2026, 04:42:47 PM
All of the sudden a few years ago, everybody in movies, tv, youtube videos, you name it, started counting with their fingers like Germans, starting with their thumb, then forefinger, then middle finger, etc.  This happened almost overnight, and it's everywhere.  Prior to this, people counted first with their forefinger, and used fingers to count 1-4, and only used the thumb if counting to five.  I truly don't know what happened, or why, but it was sudden, and ubiquitous.  I don't see anybody count the old (correct) way anymore.

It makes me grumpy.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on April 21, 2026, 04:43:46 PM
I just saw a clip of someone speaking the term "conversate" and obviously believing that's a word, rather than using the actual verb "converse."

And this is the second time in the last week or so I've heard that.

It has made me grumpy.

I've been grumpy for years about cfb commentators saying plays were "well-defensed" when "defended" is already a word.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on April 21, 2026, 04:47:35 PM
I've been grumpy for years about cfb commentators saying...
"He engineered that drive perfectly."

Dumbass people gonna dumbass.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on April 21, 2026, 04:49:10 PM
I've been grumpy for years about cfb commentators saying plays were "well-defensed" when "defended" is already a word. 
I can't stand it when they say the QB is going to "clock the ball."  No, he's going to spike the ball to stop the clock.

Also, why are they called "commentators" rather than "commenters?"  Are they commentating, or commenting?




Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on April 21, 2026, 05:16:27 PM
front brakes on the 2017 Impala work car - not grumpy
new front pads and rotors = $530 at the Chevy dealer

this at 162,000 miles
Yeah, we used to use a rep firm in NC, and the sales guy that I was meeting with pretty much spent all his time on the interstate. 

He didn't go through brakes very quickly either!
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on April 21, 2026, 05:49:04 PM
I can't stand it when they say the QB is going to "clock the ball."  No, he's going to spike the ball to stop the clock.

Also, why are they called "commentators" rather than "commenters?"  Are they commentating, or commenting?

This doesn't make me as grumpy, but it still irks me a small bit when they say "he's out with a knee." 

"He has an ankle."

Duh, he has an ankle.  Probably two.  Do you mean "he's out with an injured knee?" and "he hurt his ankle?"
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: iahawk15 on April 21, 2026, 08:12:06 PM
I can't stand it when they say the QB is going to "clock the ball."  No, he's going to spike the ball to stop the clock.

Also, why are they called "commentators" rather than "commenters?"  Are they commentating, or commenting?





"Score the basketball"

WT actual F
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: bayareabadger on April 21, 2026, 09:53:02 PM
I can't stand it when they say the QB is going to "clock the ball."  No, he's going to spike the ball to stop the clock.

Also, why are they called "commentators" rather than "commenters?"  Are they commentating, or commenting?

I believe it’s because they’re providing commentary not comment. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: bayareabadger on April 21, 2026, 09:53:31 PM
"He engineered that drive perfectly."

Dumbass people gonna dumbass.
They just called you a QB.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on April 21, 2026, 11:32:12 PM
I believe it’s because they’re providing commentary not comment.
Commentary is commenting.


Commentating is... well... made up and superfluous.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on April 22, 2026, 12:45:03 AM
All of the sudden a few years ago, everybody in movies, tv, youtube videos, you name it, started counting with their fingers like Germans, starting with their thumb, then forefinger, then middle finger, etc.  This happened almost overnight, and it's everywhere.  Prior to this, people counted first with their forefinger, and used fingers to count 1-4, and only used the thumb if counting to five.  I truly don't know what happened, or why, but it was sudden, and ubiquitous.  I don't see anybody count the old (correct) way anymore.

It makes me grumpy. 
That reminds me of a pivotal scene in Inglorious Bastards.....the way of holding up '3' with the character's fingers gives him away as a spy.  
Are Tarantino films that influential?? 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on April 22, 2026, 12:46:02 AM
F-550. V-10 engine dropped a piston. $12-13,000. 

This is the truck we got from Minnesota.
What are you hauling?  Elephants?!?!
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on April 22, 2026, 12:48:54 AM
I just saw a clip of someone speaking the term "conversate" and obviously believing that's a word, rather than using the actual verb "converse."

And this is the second time in the last week or so I've heard that.

It has made me grumpy.


Well, language is fluid.
The dictionary is putting 'irreguardless' in this year, as enough people use it and understand it that it's now an actual word.  

What's worse than grumpy?
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on April 22, 2026, 07:12:28 AM
What are you hauling?  Elephants?!?!
(https://i.imgur.com/qhwQSBL.png)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on April 22, 2026, 07:21:30 AM
That reminds me of a pivotal scene in Inglorious Bastards.....the way of holding up '3' with the character's fingers gives him away as a spy. 
Are Tarantino films that influential??
no
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on April 22, 2026, 07:24:23 AM
I can't stand it when they say the QB is going to "clock the ball."  No, he's going to spike the ball to stop the clock.

Also, why are they called "commentators" rather than "commenters?"  Are they commentating, or commenting?





another reason to turn the volume off
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on April 22, 2026, 07:26:22 AM
Well when you live out on the open prarie I guess you don't need/use them out there
163,000 after a 450 mile drive to Wichita yesterday

the impala says my average speed is 49.1 - seems a bit low

I bought gas twice yesterday - prices make me grumpy
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on April 22, 2026, 08:15:28 AM
Filled up the M-B last night. $4.09/gal for 91 - not bad. 

23 gallon tank took 20.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: bayareabadger on April 22, 2026, 08:27:50 AM
Commentary is commenting.


Commentating is... well... made up and superfluous.
All words are made up. As is grammar.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on April 22, 2026, 08:28:25 AM
paid less than $3.40 both times yesterday
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on April 22, 2026, 08:34:03 AM
87 I assume?
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on April 22, 2026, 09:02:40 AM
yes, sir

I have been putting in some E85 and or E88 or other Ethanol because of the price difference since the price gouging started
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on April 22, 2026, 09:04:06 AM
Well, language is fluid.
The dictionary is putting 'irreguardless' in this year, as enough people use it and understand it that it's now an actual word. 

What's worse than grumpy?
The dictionary actually put it in way back in 1934, but people are still stupid for using a word that means not regardless, to mean regardless.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on April 22, 2026, 09:05:24 AM
The dictionary actually put it in way back in 1934, but people are still stupid for using a word that means not regardless, to mean regardless.

That one makes my skin crawl.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Riffraft on April 22, 2026, 10:08:39 AM
The dictionary does not give a word its meaning. Context gives a word meaning.  Dictionaries only record what context has been used for a word. therefore irregardess and regardless while not fitting good etymology they mean the same thing.  Just like flammable and inflammable mean the same thing in spite of etymology. 

Just as someone observed earlier grammar and dictionary definitions do not dictate the rules, but the rules and definitions are based on what is observed. 

When I use teach Koine Greek and Biblical Hebrew, I would use the word ball to show that the dictionary does not define a word but the context of a word gives it meaning.  Did I mean a round object, did I mean a dance event, do I mean having a good time.  Only context gives it meaning. 

All of this gives rise to words changing their meaning.  Take "merry" it use to have the usage as courageous.  Hence, Robin Hood and his Merry Men was not because they were happy but courageous.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on April 22, 2026, 10:14:07 AM
That's all very interesting.

If you utter "irregardless" then I automatically know you are stupid and not worthy of conversation.

"Could of" is worse, though.  It displays a completel lack of understanding of the meaning of the phrase you're attempting to say.

"I could of run for another ten miles."

Nope.

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on April 22, 2026, 10:18:52 AM
"I could care less!"

Me: "Could you really?"
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on April 22, 2026, 10:19:40 AM
"I could care less!"

Me: "Could you really?"
Yup, that one too. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on April 22, 2026, 10:26:19 AM
We've become really good friends with some other Illinois people that we've met since living here.

They are "Sowt Siders" ("SowtWes" suburbs, actually).

Pronunciation and grammar are lacking for sure - being great people makes up for it.

Makes me happy.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: jgvol on April 22, 2026, 10:26:44 AM
"He engineered that drive perfectly."

Dumbass people gonna dumbass.

I've got no beef.


"Engineered" is the past tense and past participle of the transitive verb engineer (https://www.google.com/search?q=engineer&sca_esv=4105d4398ced2790&rlz=1C1GCEA_enUS1055US1055&biw=1437&bih=800&sxsrf=ANbL-n6Wvpq-UKHPPtw6Zi4-IkQq29PZnw%3A1776867870367&ei=HtroaaL2FcnIp84P3dem-Qk&oq=engineered+as+a+verb&gs_lp=Egxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAiFGVuZ2luZWVyZWQgYXMgYSB2ZXJiKgIIADIEEAAYHjILEAAYgAQYhgMYigVIihtQ0AZYighwAXgBkAEAmAFwoAHLAaoBAzEuMbgBAcgBAPgBAZgCA6AC3QHCAgoQABiwAxjWBBhHwgIHECMYsAIYJ8ICBxAAGIAEGA3CAgYQABgNGB7CAggQABgFGA0YHsICBRAAGO8FmAMAiAYBkAYIkgcDMi4xoAfEB7IHAzEuMbgH1gHCBwUwLjEuMsgHDYAIAA&sclient=gws-wiz-serp&mstk=AUtExfCnReQuFmFNT61k3d_c9J2cYXYODICNXV5Jrc_M4r3Zstx9uxY1iY73SPQmd0B0e8aW0-g1DzjDFon-bXyFC0ztlb95Cm-TQycN-SYSZdR4HCu_uGbq9D6dB9vNG54wXZKxcjlsM_p7NpMJHQ-nAHPCR9H0FQKezPEIbUpEBHlYb5jNrBVHfu1sQaVO7SrBvyRYB4L9I0YIRmHucKKNp7XEbPLgTT_Mc9Gc1dt0Jh8Bkn7WrNs6E2JKvb3RkCEXIDkeBg9ljE7TRUOt2FyBBgCTYweXsaTGMQXMGnT0oo3GAA&csui=3&ved=2ahUKEwjIiYLv1IGUAxUy5ckDHal3PW0QgK4QegQIARAB), which means to skillfully plan, construct, manage, or manipulate a situation or object. It often implies using technical expertise, foresight, or clever, sometimes maneuvering, strategies to achieve a specific result, such as a product, project, or outcome. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on April 22, 2026, 10:29:41 AM
We've become really good friends with some other Illinois people that we've met since living here.

They are "Sowt Siders" ("SowtWes" suburbs, actually).

Pronunciation and grammar are lacking for sure - being great people makes up for it.

Makes me happy.
This is the grumpy thread.  Take that crap to the happy thread, it's over there ------->

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: jgvol on April 22, 2026, 10:31:17 AM
That's all very interesting.

If you utter "irregardless" then I automatically know you are stupid and not worthy of conversation.

"Could of" is worse, though.  It displays a completel lack of understanding of the meaning of the phrase you're attempting to say.

"I could of run for another ten miles."

Nope.



I believe that is "could've", which is real short southern for could have.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on April 22, 2026, 10:33:01 AM
I believe that is "could've", which is real short southern for could have.
I'm talking about when it's written, which I see commonly in written media and on message boards.  Probably not this one.  Maybe.

Obviously spoken, you can't tell how someone would be writing it.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on April 22, 2026, 10:34:10 AM
I've got no beef.


"Engineered" is the past tense and past participle of the transitive verb engineer (https://www.google.com/search?q=engineer&sca_esv=4105d4398ced2790&rlz=1C1GCEA_enUS1055US1055&biw=1437&bih=800&sxsrf=ANbL-n6Wvpq-UKHPPtw6Zi4-IkQq29PZnw%3A1776867870367&ei=HtroaaL2FcnIp84P3dem-Qk&oq=engineered+as+a+verb&gs_lp=Egxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAiFGVuZ2luZWVyZWQgYXMgYSB2ZXJiKgIIADIEEAAYHjILEAAYgAQYhgMYigVIihtQ0AZYighwAXgBkAEAmAFwoAHLAaoBAzEuMbgBAcgBAPgBAZgCA6AC3QHCAgoQABiwAxjWBBhHwgIHECMYsAIYJ8ICBxAAGIAEGA3CAgYQABgNGB7CAggQABgFGA0YHsICBRAAGO8FmAMAiAYBkAYIkgcDMi4xoAfEB7IHAzEuMbgH1gHCBwUwLjEuMsgHDYAIAA&sclient=gws-wiz-serp&mstk=AUtExfCnReQuFmFNT61k3d_c9J2cYXYODICNXV5Jrc_M4r3Zstx9uxY1iY73SPQmd0B0e8aW0-g1DzjDFon-bXyFC0ztlb95Cm-TQycN-SYSZdR4HCu_uGbq9D6dB9vNG54wXZKxcjlsM_p7NpMJHQ-nAHPCR9H0FQKezPEIbUpEBHlYb5jNrBVHfu1sQaVO7SrBvyRYB4L9I0YIRmHucKKNp7XEbPLgTT_Mc9Gc1dt0Jh8Bkn7WrNs6E2JKvb3RkCEXIDkeBg9ljE7TRUOt2FyBBgCTYweXsaTGMQXMGnT0oo3GAA&csui=3&ved=2ahUKEwjIiYLv1IGUAxUy5ckDHal3PW0QgK4QegQIARAB), which means to use knowledge gained through education, examination and professional practice to skillfully plan, construct, manage, a project. or manipulate a situation or object. It always often implies using technical expertise, foresight, or clever, sometimes maneuvering, strategies to achieve a specific result, such as a product, project, or outcome.
That's better.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: jgvol on April 22, 2026, 10:35:52 AM
I'm talking about when it's written, which I see commonly in written media and on message boards.  Probably not this one.  Maybe.

Obviously spoken, you can't tell how someone would be writing it.

Well, damn.  That is dumb.  I don't know that I've ever seen it written out as could of, but I probably have and just glossed over it as.....dumb.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on April 22, 2026, 10:36:05 AM
That's better.
Maybe, but you can "engineer" poorly as well.  Anything produced by engineers, is engineered.  And I've encountered some very bad engineers performing some very poor engineering, over the decades.

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: iahawk15 on April 22, 2026, 10:40:13 AM
I can't say if it's universal, but at least in the Midwest, "could of" and "could've" sound identical, which may be the origin story for "could of". Written is obviously another matter.

The old Iowa Rivals board had a long-running thread for "WOBs", which started when someone typed "want of bees" instead of wannabes. "Pre-Madonna" is one of my favorites. A WOB of my own from my childhood was "for all intensive purposes".
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on April 22, 2026, 10:45:21 AM
The old Iowa Rivals board had a long-running thread for "WOBs", which started when someone typed "want of bees" instead of wannabes. "Pre-Madonna" is one of my favorites. A WOB of my own from my childhood was "for all intensive purposes".
Yeah those are message board staples throughout the land.  "Mind-bottling" is another one.

Not a message board mistake, but something my best friend in high school always said, when attempting to use the colloquialism "Six of one, half a dozen of the other" to express indifference when faced with two options with seemingly equivalent outcomes-- he'd say "One half dozen of the other." 

It always made me crack up and no matter how many times I explained it to him, he still always got it wrong.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on April 22, 2026, 10:54:25 AM
There's someone either here or another board that routinely substitutes "rather" for "whether." 

"rather or not..." 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on April 22, 2026, 11:08:27 AM
Maybe, but you can "engineer" poorly as well.  Anything produced by engineers, is engineered.  And I've encountered some very bad engineers performing some very poor engineering, over the decades.


I have as well. They got fired.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on April 22, 2026, 11:14:53 AM
That reminds me of a pivotal scene in Inglorious Bastards.....the way of holding up '3' with the character's fingers gives him away as a spy. 
Are Tarantino films that influential??

I've thought of that exact scene many times and wondered if there was a connection.  Though I didn't start seeing this trend until probably like ten years after that movie came out.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on April 22, 2026, 11:16:37 AM
I have as well. They got fired.
Oh yeah for sure, same here.  Well, except for the ones that got promoted into management.  

But my point with that was, we could also just as easily say, "Well, the QB just managed to engineer a 3-play drive for negative 27 yards and a blocked punt that was returned for a TD."

That would be kind of a fun change of pace.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on April 22, 2026, 11:17:43 AM
I've thought of that exact scene many times and wondered if there was a connection.  Though I didn't start seeing this trend until probably like ten years after that movie came out. 
I have not noticed this out in the world.  I still count "the right way." 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on April 22, 2026, 11:22:11 AM
When I use teach Koine Greek and Biblical Hebrew, I would use the word ball to show that the dictionary does not define a word but the context of a word gives it meaning.  Did I mean a round object, did I mean a dance event, do I mean having a good time.  Only context gives it meaning. 

Maybe now I'm just being cantankerous, but this is the grumpy thread, so.....

In your example, one thing "ball" absolutely will not and cannot mean, is "not ball."  That's not how language evolves, and if it does, it's dumb.  This is not an arbitrary distinction, it's an objective one.  The word "merry" may have been once understood as courageous and now be understood to generally mean "happy," or whatever.  But notice it did not come to mean "not courageous."  Because that would be dumb, and would erode the etymological principles on which language is built, which would ultimately leave us with no discernible language at all if taken to its logical conclusion.  

Which is exactly what's going on with "regardless" and "irregardless."  The latter of which I hope James Murray comes back from the dead and exorcises it out of the Oxford dictionary like the demon-monster it is.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: SFBadger96 on April 22, 2026, 11:55:07 AM
I have not noticed this out in the world.  I still count "the right way."
The scene is memorable. I have no idea when I started counting 3 with my last three fingers, but I will say that it is a more comfortable way to hold up the number compared to the middle three fingers. Thumb, index and middle is weird.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: jgvol on April 22, 2026, 12:18:33 PM
The scene is memorable. I have no idea when I started counting 3 with my last three fingers, but I will say that it is a more comfortable way to hold up the number compared to the middle three fingers. Thumb, index and middle is weird.

I am also "OK" sign (last 3 fingers = 3 guy).  

I've heard that it's racist, however.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on April 22, 2026, 12:43:39 PM
"I could care less!"

Me: "Could you really?"
My first boss after college was Pakistani, and so English wasn't really his native language. 

He would get exasperated and wouldn't say "I could care less" or "I couldn't care less"...

He'd just break out:

"You know, I care less!"

Although, come to think of it, remembering him doesn't make me grumpy lol... Good boss.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on April 22, 2026, 12:55:13 PM
Went to go meet a CPA for the first time yesterday to try to establish as a new client. It did not go well.

I swear, she couldn't get over the fact that I have made my peace with the idea that I have high capital gains and I am just going to have to sell and pay taxes. That my stocks are in a VERY cyclical industry and that no, I can't hold these until 2028 or longer in the hopes that I can slowly sell piecemeal and income below certain levels to avoid certain tax levels... If I wait until 2028 or beyond, I don't know how much capital gains I'll still have--that solves my tax problem, but in the worst possible way. 

Do you ever go through life wondering how people get into certain professional jobs when spending only a little bit of time with them, you realize they're idiots? 

The worst was that this one was a personal recommendation. 


Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on April 22, 2026, 01:33:45 PM
Do you ever go through life wondering how people get into certain professional jobs when spending only a little bit of time with them, you realize they're idiots? 

Sometimes, but often I'm wondering why I'm not great at any professional job (or anything else) when I'm not an idiot.  I can't think of anything, really, I'd consider myself a go-to guy for.  It's enough to make me rethink the idiot thing.  After all, an idiot plausibly wouldn't know he's an idiot, right?  

My wife thinks I would've made a great on-air cfb analyst because of how often I'll saying something and then the tv people say the same thing....penalties, play-calling, prediction, context, etc.  But, I think they're mostly all idiots, and I'm afraid that kind of confirms my suspicion.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Riffraft on April 22, 2026, 02:12:38 PM
Maybe now I'm just being cantankerous, but this is the grumpy thread, so.....

In your example, one thing "ball" absolutely will not and cannot mean, is "not ball."  That's not how language evolves, and if it does, it's dumb.  This is not an arbitrary distinction, it's an objective one.  The word "merry" may have been once understood as courageous and now be understood to generally mean "happy," or whatever.  But notice it did not come to mean "not courageous."  Because that would be dumb, and would erode the etymological principles on which language is built, which would ultimately leave us with no discernible language at all if taken to its logical conclusion. 

Which is exactly what's going on with "regardless" and "irregardless."  The latter of which I hope James Murray comes back from the dead and exorcises it out of the Oxford dictionary like the demon-monster it is. 
that is one "bad" take.  Not do I mean good or not good.  :)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on April 22, 2026, 02:16:35 PM
Double plus ungood.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: SFBadger96 on April 22, 2026, 04:33:04 PM
My profession dedicates itself to the proper use of words. I also grew up in a family and a toney suburb where "proper" English was the only acceptable kind.

Nonetheless, I love how slang often does not mean the same thing as its nearest "proper" phrase. Many "aints" simply mean "is not," but there is a subtle use of "aint" that conveys a different message than "is not." "That aint right." has a slightly different meaning than "That is not right." There's a feel to it that, while close, is not the same. "Aint that a B-----" definitely conveys a different message than "is that not a B-----." 

I spent a significant amount of time in my early 20s around people who use y'all regularly, and I found I liked it. I don't use y'all very often these days, but I still use it from time to time because it works.

I've always recoiled against irregardless for all the same reasons stated here, but the upbringing and circumstances that lead someone to use that word probably shouldn't be held against them.

I distinguish between less and fewer, and have all kinds of other silly preferences, but fundamentally, that's what they are: silly preferences. As long as we understand each other, I'm good.

As an aside, a curious question as it relates to the goings on in the travel thread: is a Californian a Yankee? I've thought of myself as one, but only in the dumbest, most irrelevant sense of being not Southern and pro Union (1861-1865). What difference does that make? It's not like I had a vote. Overseas anyone who is an American is a Yankee, but I suppose Southerners probably don't like that. But the more I've become acquainted with New England and the Midwest, I'm not sure that Mainers are "Yankees," nor, necessarily are Midwesterners. Is a Nevadan a Yankee? California was actually relatively pro-Southern during the Civil War (and before it); are we Yankees? I'm sure as heck not a fan of the baseball team by that name, nor, particularly, the city that hosts that team. (I don't hate New York, but it's not my favorite.) Bostonians might also recoil at being called Yankees. 

Anyway, now I'm just prattling on, so I'll stop.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: jgvol on April 22, 2026, 04:40:34 PM
A Tennessee man's perspective.  In the red --- yankee.  Everyone is else is something else.  


(https://i.imgur.com/ttSRTXj.png)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on April 22, 2026, 04:42:06 PM
(https://y.yarn.co/79589dd6-fb75-4779-a73d-8f8baa9a861d_text.gif)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on April 22, 2026, 04:45:29 PM
I can't associate myself with anything East of Ohio, to be honest. I feel more like Iowa than I do Penn State.

This is Baja Manitoba.

(https://i.imgur.com/qaKz1yg.png)

Chicagoans generally despise New York.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: jgvol on April 22, 2026, 04:47:23 PM
Red:  Yankees
Orange:  Southerners  (Mizzou probably South of St. Louis.  St. Louis is Yankees!)
Light Green:  Close enough to Southern
Yellow:  The Plains
Blue:  Western folk
Pink:  Left Coasters / Californians
Dark Green:  Canadians





(https://i.imgur.com/Y4qjEbr.png)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on April 22, 2026, 05:21:51 PM
As long as we're harping on misused and mixed-up words common on internet scribblings:

"Passed" and "past."  I see those incorrectly swapped a lot.

That's all in the passed.  

I past my test.

NEAUX.

Grumpy every time.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on April 22, 2026, 05:26:11 PM
My profession dedicates itself to the proper use of words. I also grew up in a family and a toney suburb where "proper" English was the only acceptable kind.

That is something up with which I will not put.

------------------------------------------------------ 

I read somewhere long ago how that's the only correct way to phrase that sentence without incorrectly ending it with a preposition.  However, I don't see why you couldn't just say "I will not put up with something like that."  "That" is not a preposition, and the Googlez says you can end a sentence with it.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on April 22, 2026, 05:30:23 PM
Well sure.  In that case "that" is the object of the preposition, not the preposition itself.

Now let's talk about splitting infinitives!
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on April 22, 2026, 05:45:29 PM
Most famously:  To boldly go where no man has gone before.

Apparently there was a real discussion back in the planning stages of The Next Generation as they realized the original series incorrectly used a split infinitive.  Ultimately they sided with the on-brand original wording instead of grammatical correctness.  But they knew what they were doing was wrong.   
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: jgvol on April 22, 2026, 05:47:28 PM
My peeve these days, a relatively new one.

"It's"

It's a lot of people in there.

Enrages me.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on April 22, 2026, 05:57:35 PM
Most famously:  To boldly go where no man has gone before.

Apparently there was a real discussion back in the planning stages of The Next Generation as they realized the original series incorrectly used a split infinitive.  Ultimately they sided with the on-brand original wording instead of grammatical correctness.  But they knew what they were doing was wrong. 

Yeah, Douglas Adams in The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy famously parodied Star Trek when he penned this quote.


Quote
"In those days spirits were brave, the stakes were high, men were real men, women were real women, and small furry creatures from Alpha Centauri were real small furry creatures from Alpha Centauri. And all dared to brave unknown terrors, to do mighty deeds, to boldly split infinitives that no man had split before". 

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on April 23, 2026, 07:05:55 AM
Well, damn.  That is dumb.  I don't know that I've ever seen it written out as could of, but I probably have and just glossed over it as.....dumb.
I think this and 'could care less' is just part of our shortening our speech, for efficiency-sake.  

Could have ------- could of -------couldda

couldn't care less --------- could care less ----------- whatever is next

The misuse that irks me the most is supposedly being said as supposably......supposably is a word, but it means nothing related to supposedly, which is how people misuse it.

I'm afraid more people say supposably than supposedly and it gives me low expectations for the future, lol.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on April 23, 2026, 07:09:31 AM
The (non)documentary film Idiocrasy, which is spot-on in so many ways in prognosticating the future of US society does a good job with the efficiency thing.
Jim Gaffigan has a bit on it, too.


I'd like a Big Mac meal --------------- gimmie a number one -------------- Mah.  Maaaahhhh!  


Just a grunt.  A grunt and a click if you want it with cheese.  

It's interesting.  Efficiency is a plus, right?  But eventually speaking like cave men would denote stupidity.  
Conundrum.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MrNubbz on April 23, 2026, 07:17:28 AM
My profession dedicates itself to the proper use of words. 
If you ain't learned yerself by now you be in deep kimchi
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on April 23, 2026, 10:20:17 AM
I hate when some old project that I didn't build gets dumped on me.  It's hard to do updates or fixes when your head is not around the project, you don't know or have any notes on what the original requirements and intentions were.  It's hard enough to handle requests on old stuff I did build myself, because I've still largely forgotten everything by then.  

We build a crap-ton of stuff for HR, and it seems they never use any of it.  We've got all these half-finished projects for them just sitting around, and they're still passing around paper forms and getting wet signatures because they can't ever finish and implement anything they request.  

One of my co-workers handed me something from them yesterday because she thought I originally built the workspace.  I did not, she did, but whatever.  We keep getting these intermittent, small requests for this project like every two months or so.  We never remember what this whole thing is even about....the meetings and the initial setup were so long ago.  They don't ever schedule meetings to discuss finishing this thing and getting it up and running for them.  We just keep getting these penny ante requests to do one little thing, which does not even come close to completing the project into something useful for them.  

So, I spent a while looking at the setup and its automations, trying to figure out what's going on so the request makes sense, and I can do whatever HR is asking for.  And I did it.....which required setting up a new automation.  Which is fine, except that because I didn't grasp the entirety of the project, I noticed my update broke three other existing automations.  So then I had to spend the rest of the day figuring those out and fixing them.  Had I really been up to speed on everything, I would've known a better way to do the update which wouldn't have broken anything.  Unfortunately, when you do something, sometimes you can't undo it, so there was no way to go back and do it smarter and avoid breaking the other components.  

Honestly still not sure my fixes are doing what they want done, but we'll never know, because you can't hardly schedule project meetings with HR, because they think they all have to come, and they never all have open time slots at the same time.  They can't just send one or two people who know what they want and liaise with us and get something done.  The consolation I have is that they're probably never going to use this anyway.  It's another random small piece of work in a disjointed, never-ending, HR black-hole.  

Oh well, as long as they keep issuing my paychecks, I guess I won't be too grumpy.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Gigem on April 23, 2026, 03:28:23 PM
I hate when some old project that I didn't build gets dumped on me.  It's hard to do updates or fixes when your head is not around the project, you don't know or have any notes on what the original requirements and intentions were.  It's hard enough to handle requests on old stuff I did build myself, because I've still largely forgotten everything by then. 

We build a crap-ton of stuff for HR, and it seems they never use any of it.  We've got all these half-finished projects for them just sitting around, and they're still passing around paper forms and getting wet signatures because they can't ever finish and implement anything they request. 

One of my co-workers handed me something from them yesterday because she thought I originally built the workspace.  I did not, she did, but whatever.  We keep getting these intermittent, small requests for this project like every two months or so.  We never remember what this whole thing is even about....the meetings and the initial setup were so long ago.  They don't ever schedule meetings to discuss finishing this thing and getting it up and running for them.  We just keep getting these penny ante requests to do one little thing, which does not even come close to completing the project into something useful for them. 

So, I spent a while looking at the setup and its automations, trying to figure out what's going on so the request makes sense, and I can do whatever HR is asking for.  And I did it.....which required setting up a new automation.  Which is fine, except that because I didn't grasp the entirety of the project, I noticed my update broke three other existing automations.  So then I had to spend the rest of the day figuring those out and fixing them.  Had I really been up to speed on everything, I would've known a better way to do the update which wouldn't have broken anything.  Unfortunately, when you do something, sometimes you can't undo it, so there was no way to go back and do it smarter and avoid breaking the other components. 

Honestly still not sure my fixes are doing what they want done, but we'll never know, because you can't hardly schedule project meetings with HR, because they think they all have to come, and they never all have open time slots at the same time.  They can't just send one or two people who know what they want and liaise with us and get something done.  The consolation I have is that they're probably never going to use this anyway.  It's another random small piece of work in a disjointed, never-ending, HR black-hole. 

Oh well, as long as they keep issuing my paychecks, I guess I won't be too grumpy. 
You should use AI, Claude if you can, to evaluate the tool and look for paths that may lead to other spreadsheets/tools.  
Was this a spreadsheet type macro, or something else?  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Wildcat4E on April 23, 2026, 04:14:25 PM
My wife thinks I would've made a great on-air cfb analyst because of how often I'll saying something and then the tv people say the same thing....penalties, play-calling, prediction, context, etc.  But, I think they're mostly all idiots, and I'm afraid that kind of confirms my suspicion. 

I have that same issue.

But it's even worse when I say something before Michael Cole did during Wrestlemania last weekend....

But at least I'm self aware.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: bayareabadger on April 23, 2026, 07:41:02 PM
Sometimes, but often I'm wondering why I'm not great at any professional job (or anything else) when I'm not an idiot.  I can't think of anything, really, I'd consider myself a go-to guy for.  It's enough to make me rethink the idiot thing.  After all, an idiot plausibly wouldn't know he's an idiot, right? 

My wife thinks I would've made a great on-air cfb analyst because of how often I'll saying something and then the tv people say the same thing....penalties, play-calling, prediction, context, etc.  But, I think they're mostly all idiots, and I'm afraid that kind of confirms my suspicion. 
It’s harder than it sounds. 

You gotta put in a lot of work to only sort of sound like an idiot. (granted, for some of the color guys they do just throw someone in there and let it ride)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on April 24, 2026, 01:19:37 AM
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fnr-2poaEAIOD9S.jpg)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: bayareabadger on April 24, 2026, 07:39:35 AM
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fnr-2poaEAIOD9S.jpg)
That tracks.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on April 24, 2026, 07:39:48 AM
(https://i.imgur.com/SxPFXI7.png)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on April 24, 2026, 07:40:08 AM
That tracks.
Not really.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: bayareabadger on April 24, 2026, 09:40:54 AM
Not really.
You need the bottom of Florida to be the Midwest and Northeast?
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on April 24, 2026, 09:54:47 AM
West Coast = Midwest
East Coast = NE
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Honestbuckeye on April 24, 2026, 10:08:10 AM
West Coast = Midwest
East Coast = NE
Unfortunately true.  😟
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on April 24, 2026, 10:13:19 AM
Unfortunately true.  😟
You also have a lot of European and South American, yes?

We have Canadiens. I was out and about for a bit yesterday, and I'll post on the happy thread.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on April 24, 2026, 10:15:37 AM
You also have a lot of European and South American, yes?

We have Canadiens. I was out and about for a bit yesterday, and I'll post on the happy thread.
I just mentally read that as "oot and aboot."
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Wildcat4E on April 24, 2026, 10:32:42 AM
West Coast = Midwest
East Coast = NE
Part of why I was not pleased when kid #2 proposed moving from Tampa to Miami.

But she's in Austin now, which has coastal politics and is just weird.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on April 24, 2026, 10:39:21 AM
Part of why I was not pleased when kid #2 proposed moving from Tampa to Miami.

But she's in Austin now, which has coastal politics and is just weird. 
Yeah sorry about that.  Austin's becoming a real shithole.  I warned y'all not to move here.

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on April 24, 2026, 10:43:19 AM
Yeah sorry about that.  Austin's becoming a real shithole.  I warned y'all not to move here.


Well, WE didn't, solely based on your advice.

Maybe things would be different if WE were welcome.


:96:
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on April 24, 2026, 11:07:55 AM
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fnr-2poaEAIOD9S.jpg)

There is no excuse for excluding Louisiana from the Deep South, and all the Deep South states listed here would agree.  Louisianans are going to find more in common with them than Texas or Florida.  

Some have tried to tell me Louisiana is different from the others because of Cajuns.  Cajuns would not agree (and the normies wouldn't either).  They're just Deep Southerners who speak some mangled French and cook better.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on April 24, 2026, 11:09:38 AM
this was my thought when I first saw the map, but I try to leave those discussions to the experts

unless I'm stirring the pot
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on April 24, 2026, 11:12:39 AM
The "South" today is broken into so many segments it's impossible to somehow characterize it broadly.

Atlanta is not very southern, IMHO, beyond the pretending for effect.  The mountain folk are not very southern, nor are Floridians.

I found the state of NC to be very similar to the state of GA.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on April 24, 2026, 11:14:13 AM
Yup I'd change Louisiana to Deep South, and I might change Florida to Sorta The South, but I'll defer to the Floridians on that one.


Eastern part of Texas definitely qualifies as The South, Central Texas Sorta The South, West Texas is way more Southwestern, and South Texas is Mexico.

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on April 24, 2026, 11:17:57 AM
Eastern part of Texas definitely qualifies as The South, Central Texas Sorta The South, West Texas is way more Southwestern, and South Texas is Mexico.

While admittedly not a real Texan, this tracks with my extensive experience.  It's kind of a fool's errand to try and categorize Texas into any particular bin.  Beaumont has about as much in common with El Paso as it does with Cincinnati.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on April 24, 2026, 11:51:50 AM
Last night a snake was in my backyard and I couldn't get him.  Bastard escaped to a flower bed next to the house, and from there he either hid like a boss or escaped undetected, as they're so good at doing.  I got him to move one time in there by banging on the rock border, but when I moved to get a better angle on him, I couldn't see him anymore.  He either wised up and stayed still under the ground cover, even when I greatly disturbed the cover, or else he was gone.  Second time a snake has eluded me in that flower bed.  

It looked like a coral snake, but we've also got something called a Louisiana milk snake around here, which are similar, but from what I briefly saw, the colors were right but the pattern didn't quite match either of those.  I looked it up and apparently there's a number of king snakes around here that evolve to mimic coral snakes, and they've got the red/yellow/black colors but the patterns can be kinda helter-skelter.  Maybe that's what it was.  Or maybe a coral....I don't know.  

All I know is that he's alive, and that makes me grumpy.  I *#!&*@ hate snakes, and I hate letting them get away. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on April 24, 2026, 11:55:49 AM
Anything in Florida that is North of the Highway to Hell is Southern. That's pretty far North of here.

As for Illinois, we always considered anything South of I-80 and West of I-57 to be Southern. You can tell by what MLB team they root for. South of I-80 gets more and more Cardinals as you drive.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on April 24, 2026, 12:10:58 PM
Last night a snake was in my backyard and I couldn't get him.  Bastard escaped to a flower bed next to the house, and from there he either hid like a boss or escaped undetected, as they're so good at doing.  I got him to move one time in there by banging on the rock border, but when I moved to get a better angle on him, I couldn't see him anymore.  He either wised up and stayed still under the ground cover, even when I greatly disturbed the cover, or else he was gone.  Second time a snake has eluded me in that flower bed. 

It looked like a coral snake, but we've also got something called a Louisiana milk snake around here, which are similar, but from what I briefly saw, the colors were right but the pattern didn't quite match either of those.  I looked it up and apparently there's a number of king snakes around here that evolve to mimic coral snakes, and they've got the red/yellow/black colors but the patterns can be kinda helter-skelter.  Maybe that's what it was.  Or maybe a coral....I don't know. 

All I know is that he's alive, and that makes me grumpy.  I *#!&*@ hate snakes, and I hate letting them get away.
Red and yellow, kill a fellow.  Red and black, friend of Jack.

If the red and yellow are next to each other it's a coral snake.   Those things are bad news and they're all over Central Texas and increase in frequency as you move east toward... well... you. :)

If the red and black are next to one another it's a King snake.  Lots of those around here too.  They're generally harmless and even helpful becase they'll consume rodents, plus they'll kill and eat more dangerous venomous snakes like rattlers!  If you can help it, don't kill King snakes.

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: jgvol on April 24, 2026, 12:14:26 PM
You also have a lot of European and South American, yes?

We have Canadiens. I was out and about for a bit yesterday, and I'll post on the happy thread.

Every other license plate I saw in Ft. Lauderdale / Hollywood was Quebec.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on April 24, 2026, 12:17:03 PM
Every other license plate I saw in Ft. Lauderdale / Hollywood was Quebec.
Yeah, those hosers drive down and rent a place for a month. We get them here too. They are all gone now.

Don't come here between Feb 15 and April 15.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Wildcat4E on April 24, 2026, 12:24:38 PM
Yeah, those hosers drive down and rent a place for a month. We get them here too. They are all gone now.

Don't come here between Feb 15 and April 15.
My in-laws are saying all the Canucks are selling out/moving home in Lake Havasu because politics.  Not having the same issue in FLA?
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: bayareabadger on April 24, 2026, 12:31:07 PM
All places are cool in their own way, and despite all our regionalisms, thankfully, we’re all in it together.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on April 24, 2026, 12:36:07 PM
Red and yellow, kill a fellow.  Red and black, friend of Jack.

It appeared to be neither.

If the red and yellow are next to each other it's a coral snake.  Those things are bad news and they're all over Central Texas and increase in frequency as you move east toward... well... you. :)

That works until it doesn't.  An old biology prof at McNeese once told me while it's not foolproof, it's better to learn patterns than colors.  i.e., the number, shape, and repetition of colors, rather than the colors themselves.  And the scale characteristics, if you really know what you're talking about, and can get close enough.  That's due to mutations.  Not all coral snakes will fit the color pattern, and occasionally some posers will mutate to fit it.  That said, I don't know patterns very well either.  My taxonomy of snakes goes like this:  Dead ones, and living ones.    

If the red and black are next to one another it's a King snake.  Lots of those around here too.  They're generally harmless and even helpful becase they'll consume rodents, plus they'll kill and eat more dangerous venomous snakes like rattlers!  If you can help it, don't kill King snakes.

There is a particular breed of Louisiana king snake that is so easy to identify even I can do it reliably, and I have tried to leave those alone.  The one yesterday was red on black, but the pattern (size of the different colored bands) didn't fit anything I've looked up.  Which does lend support to it being one of the local king snakes that mimic corals and have evolved all manner of patterns.  That said, see above.  There's nothing foolproof by the colors, and my dog was trying to chase this thing at first.  She's on a massive dose of steroids at the moment while she's getting over an auto-immune disease that dropped her platelet count to zero, and I can't even imagine what would happen to her if she were bit by a coral snake.  It could kill her in the best of circumstances.  She'd have no chance on immuno-suppressants.  I'm killing everything.  Except for the ones that get away, dammit.   
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on April 24, 2026, 12:39:35 PM
If there's red, yellow, and black, then they have to be one way or the other. It's just a matter of mathematical certainty.

If there's not all three of those colors, then it's not coral snake.  If there are extra colors, it's also not a coral snake.

I'll allow that theoretically a coral snake could evolve not to have red and yellow together.  And a king snake could evolve to have them together.

In the field, in practice, that has not been observed.  It's safe to assume red and yella, red and black.

If you choose to avoid all snakes that's fine too, I'm just attempting to tell you how you can make your own determination in your own yard.


Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on April 24, 2026, 12:48:47 PM
Bad:

(https://msherps.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/IMG_3129-edited-2048x1366.jpg)

Not bad:

(https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/116/2020/10/IMG_9733.jpg)

(https://srelherp.uga.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/70/2026/02/Scarlet-Kingsnake-1-1200x1235.jpg)

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d4/California_Mountain_Kingsnake_%28Lampropeltis_zonata%29.jpg/1280px-California_Mountain_Kingsnake_%28Lampropeltis_zonata%29.jpg)

(https://www.burkemuseum.org/sites/default/files/images/biology/herpetology/washington/california-mountain-kingsnake-teaser-500x500.jpg)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on April 24, 2026, 12:54:35 PM
My in-laws are saying all the Canucks are selling out/moving home in Lake Havasu because politics.  Not having the same issue in FLA?
Not that I'm seeing.

There were many who sold during Covid, which was fine - they made a lot of money.

Their problem was that if they chose to come here, they would not be allowed back into Canada. That got lifted in October 2022, but the damage for them was done.

I know a few Canadians, from Ontario and Minnesota, and they're mostly OK for being hosers.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on April 24, 2026, 01:09:36 PM
If there's red, yellow, and black, then they have to be one way or the other. It's just a matter of mathematical certainty.

If there's not all three of those colors, then it's not coral snake.  If there are extra colors, it's also not a coral snake.

I'll allow that theoretically a coral snake could evolve not to have red and yellow together.  And a king snake could evolve to have them together.

In the field, in practice, that has not been observed.  It's safe to assume red and yella, red and black.

If you choose to avoid all snakes that's fine too, I'm just attempting to tell you how you can make your own determination in your own yard.


According to the snake websites and that prof I talked to decades ago, herpetologists tend to go by things like head shape, eye shape, and other characteristics in addition to colors, for the reasons mentioned.  Whether or not they've been observed in the field, I don't know.  But it would seem that they at least recognize the possibility, or they would more heartily endorse the old adage instead of saying "probably, but not definitely."  

Anyway, it was red, yellow, and black, but none of the patterns your pictures showed.  It was both "red against yellow" and "red against black."  Because it was alternating broad bands of black and yellow separated by narrow bands of red.  I'm hopeful it was a king, 'cuz he might still be out there somewhere.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: jgvol on April 24, 2026, 01:20:11 PM
Yeah, those hosers drive down and rent a place for a month. We get them here too. They are all gone now.

Don't come here between Feb 15 and April 15.

I was there Feb 19 - Feb 23rd.  LOL
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on April 24, 2026, 01:21:18 PM

According to the snake websites and that prof I talked to decades ago, herpetologists tend to go by things like head shape, eye shape, and other characteristics in addition to colors, for the reasons mentioned.  Whether or not they've been observed in the field, I don't know.  But it would seem that they at least recognize the possibility, or they would more heartily endorse the old adage instead of saying "probably, but not definitely." 

Anyway, it was red, yellow, and black, but none of the patterns your pictures showed.  It was both "red against yellow" and "red against black."  Because it was alternating broad bands of black and yellow separated by narrow bands of red.  I'm hopeful it was a king, 'cuz he might still be out there somewhere. 

If it doesn't look like my top picture, it's not a coral snake.  And ultimately it doesn't matter what kind of snake it is, if the sole reason for determination is "dangerous or safe", ""venomous or not venomous", "coral snake or not coral snake."

Again, theoretically it's possible that there are venomous coral snakes that don't match the above.  It's theoretically possible that such a mutation occurred.  But since there are no large scale observations of this mutation, no major classifications of this mutation, no categorization of such a coral snake with this mutation,  it would be extremely rare in nature, and therefore extremely unlikely that your one encounter with a coral snake, occurs with one that has mutated away from the appearance of all the known coral snakes in existence.

If you hate all snakes, fine, I get it.  But worrying that you might encounter a coral snake that doesn't match the above picture, is something you really don't need to do.

Edited To Add-- You live in an area where coral snakes are common.  So while it's good to be cautious about all stripey-looking snakes, it's also probably a good idea to study that top picture, so you know exactly what a real coral snake looks like.  I've camped a LOT in my lifetime, and I've pretty frequently encountered coral snakes, rattlesnakes, and cottonmouth water moccasins.  I know what they all look like, I've studied and memorized them, to help keep me and my family as safe as possible.


Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on April 24, 2026, 01:58:45 PM
(https://external-preview.redd.it/the-united-states-simplified-v0-zJKAqB68cVZ6oKPla_0xAUlz2kjU99a6bhmalqaAHBI.jpg?width=640&crop=smart&auto=webp&s=94a4e84e359e69611259a8ac7417770256868301)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on April 24, 2026, 02:01:11 PM
The guys I know from New York and New Jersey use the hard R way more than anyone I've ever known from the South.  They also use lots of other racial and ethnic slurs I've never even heard of.

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on April 24, 2026, 02:06:09 PM
What are Mormans?
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on April 24, 2026, 02:10:15 PM
What are Mormans?


Yeah, that was funny. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on April 24, 2026, 02:19:15 PM
I was there Feb 19 - Feb 23rd.  LOL
On the front end of it, when it was still cold!
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on April 24, 2026, 02:20:01 PM
I just kill all of them*, that method has kept me and my family safe as well :)  One snake in the front flower bed a few years ago turned out to be a king, but he rattled at me, which hastened his demise.  It was only after the fact I learned that some king snakes around here imitate rattles as a defense mechanism, which is what he appeared to be.  It didn't work in his favor.  Don't know if I've ever run up on any cottonmouths, but I've sent several to the afterlife in ponds through the years that turned out to be moccasins.  When I worked grounds maintenance at the lumber mill in college we ran into all kinds of snakes all the time.  I finished weed-eating one time in some particularly thick brush and one was hanging off my snake chaps....might have had his fangs stuck, but I didn't get a good look in his mouth....might've not had fangs at all and was just biting the chaps.  A coworker was nice enough to get that one off of me.  They absolutely loved the giant wood piles, the sprinklers we kept on them, and the vast grounds of ever-growing grass.  I never loved them in return.  I'm pretty scared of snakes, to the point that I'd rather do battle with one and know that he'll never be waiting for me again than to let them be and hope they leave. 

Fortunately, I have never encountered snakes while camping, that I can think of.  


* except for that one kind of Louisiana King.  He doesn't do dumb things like rattle, or try to look like corals.  He just wears his distinctive shiny, sparkly black proudly and eats other snakes.    
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on April 24, 2026, 02:21:29 PM
People in Wisconsin call pop soda. People in Illinois, South of I-80, call it Coke.

There is no normal in Florida, except me.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on April 24, 2026, 02:22:54 PM
I'd go to Florida more, but there's too many snakes and gators :)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on April 24, 2026, 02:24:30 PM
We have those, for sure, but y'all have enough people around who eat 'em. 

We don't have that, so they all grow big and strong.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on April 24, 2026, 02:24:40 PM
Y'all want me to go to the store and grab some cokes?

Sure, I'd like a Dr. Pepper and an R.C.!

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on April 24, 2026, 02:26:18 PM
Decaf Diet Pepsi, please.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: bayareabadger on April 24, 2026, 02:41:53 PM
People in Wisconsin call pop soda. People in Illinois, South of I-80, call it Coke.

There is no normal in Florida, except me.
Counterpoint, y’all are freaks, said lovingly.

and to be clear, I am mostly calling you that because of that soda selection.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on April 24, 2026, 02:51:08 PM
For as much as I love cheese, cleaning melted cheese off of dishes makes me very grumpy. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Wildcat4E on April 24, 2026, 03:16:42 PM
For as much as I love cheese, cleaning melted cheese off of dishes makes me very grumpy.
If you don't get it cleaned off with a fork, you don't love cheese as much as I do.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on April 24, 2026, 03:24:04 PM
If you don't get it cleaned off with a fork, you don't love cheese as much as I do.
Well I just use my fingernails, does that count?? 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Wildcat4E on April 24, 2026, 03:27:50 PM
Well I just use my fingernails, does that count??
True that. Crispy baked cheese is one of the finest things God gave us to enjoy.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: bayareabadger on April 24, 2026, 04:18:54 PM
An evening run and a beer have left me very tired this afternoon and I kind of have to do stuff this weekend. Groan.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Gigem on April 24, 2026, 05:58:55 PM
There is no excuse for excluding Louisiana from the Deep South, and all the Deep South states listed here would agree.  Louisianans are going to find more in common with them than Texas or Florida. 

Some have tried to tell me Louisiana is different from the others because of Cajuns.  Cajuns would not agree (and the normies wouldn't either).  They're just Deep Southerners who speak some mangled French and cook better. 
I may be wrong, but to me, Louisiana has its own distinct culture, as opposed to Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, or the others. I say this with the full knowledge that I’ve never actually been that far East.  I’ve been to Louisiana a bunch, but not the other states. 

I’ve traced back several of my ancestors, it seems several are from TN and GA. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on April 25, 2026, 01:05:11 PM
I may be wrong, but to me, Louisiana has its own distinct culture, as opposed to Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, or the others. I say this with the full knowledge that I’ve never actually been that far East.  I’ve been to Louisiana a bunch, but not the other states.

I can agree with that to a large extent.  The Cajun/Creole thing does make for an interesting distinction.  There's so much of the state that has little to none of that influence, though.  On the whole, your average non-Cajun Louisianan (which is most of them) is going to be more similar to Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia folks, than to Texas folks.  Well.....east and southeast Texas, I should say, because obviously the further into Texas you go, the culture keeps changing. 

I'm not claiming there is a vast difference between Louisianans and East Texans.  Only that the difference is greater than that between a typical Louisianan and an Alabaman. 

I think culture depends a lot on history.  Texas has a very distinctive history.  So do all states, I know, but I mean the origin of and path to Texas statehood is unlike anything in the other Southern states.  I know if you go far back enough, the geographic territory of Louisiana has a distinct history as well, but the culture between Louisiana and the other Deep South states had coalesced to a certain point by the time their history as states began.  And that gives them more of a shared identity than what you get between Texas and Louisiana. 

Plus, Louisiana is firmly SEC!  SEC!  SEC!  Texas is forever SWC.  So there's that :)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on April 25, 2026, 05:18:50 PM
Decaf Diet Pepsi, please.
What is the point?!?
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on April 25, 2026, 05:20:30 PM
 an R.C.!


Disgusting aftertaste.  I don't know how it ever became a thing.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on April 25, 2026, 07:01:37 PM
RC used to be cheaper than the others, but not anymore. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on April 25, 2026, 11:14:20 PM
What is the point?!?
I like Diet Pepsi. I gave up caffeine.

Add it up.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Riffraft on April 26, 2026, 09:44:04 AM
Morning drink Diet Mt. Dew.  Get grumpy if I don't have it
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: GopherRock on April 26, 2026, 11:48:55 AM
I can agree with that to a large extent.  The Cajun/Creole thing does make for an interesting distinction.  There's so much of the state that has little to none of that influence, though.  On the whole, your average non-Cajun Louisianan (which is most of them) is going to be more similar to Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia folks, than to Texas folks.  Well.....east and southeast Texas, I should say, because obviously the further into Texas you go, the culture keeps changing. 

I'm not claiming there is a vast difference between Louisianans and East Texans.  Only that the difference is greater than that between a typical Louisianan and an Alabaman. 

I think culture depends a lot on history.  Texas has a very distinctive history.  So do all states, I know, but I mean the origin of and path to Texas statehood is unlike anything in the other Southern states.  I know if you go far back enough, the geographic territory of Louisiana has a distinct history as well, but the culture between Louisiana and the other Deep South states had coalesced to a certain point by the time their history as states began.  And that gives them more of a shared identity than what you get between Texas and Louisiana. 

Plus, Louisiana is firmly SEC!  SEC!  SEC!  Texas is forever SWC.  So there's that :)
Louisiana was also, for most of it's history, French and Catholic. The rest of the SEC/nee Texas was British/Scottish and Protestant. 

The role of religion can't be understated in this discussion.

https://alcohol.iu.edu/articles/protestants-catholics/index.html
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MarqHusker on April 26, 2026, 12:01:46 PM
French common law in Louisiana.   

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on April 26, 2026, 01:04:54 PM
French common law in Louisiana. 


Land Surveying is kinda bitchy in that state. Very similar to the Green Bay area of Wisconsin.

Claims... and more claims.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Riffraft on April 26, 2026, 09:51:18 PM
French common law in Louisiana. 


Actually it is French civil law.  England is considered common since it was not encoded like other countries 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on April 26, 2026, 09:54:22 PM
very common
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on April 26, 2026, 10:19:52 PM
Bloody commoners
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Hawkinole on April 26, 2026, 11:51:04 PM
Undrafted Diego Pavia (Vanderbilt) got what he unconsciously was looking for.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on April 27, 2026, 07:28:09 AM
Actually it is French civil law.  England is considered common since it was not encoded like other countries
And the lands of the colonies and a few states Westward are surveyed based on common law. PitA.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MrNubbz on April 27, 2026, 08:35:38 AM
Bloody commoners
I'm being repressed

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAA-G947ofg
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on April 27, 2026, 09:49:58 AM
Land Surveying is kinda bitchy in that state. Very similar to the Green Bay area of Wisconsin.

Claims... and more claims.


Really?  I'd want to know how surveying on the ground is different than mapping, plotting, etc.  It's a township and range state where most everything is neatly divided into squares.  It's like falling off of a log.  

One who finds Louisiana difficult would certainly not want to mess with a metes and bounds state like Texas, I'd think.  If you get a tract of land in Texas with less than 50 directions and distances and three or four markers as your starting point, you've hit the jackpot.  

Reading the field notes to identify and/or map my family's land in Louisiana is something a 5-year old could do.  Reading the field notes in Texas when I was a landman could make you claw your eyes out.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on April 27, 2026, 09:54:26 AM
Louisiana was also, for most of it's history, French and Catholic. The rest of the SEC/nee Texas was British/Scottish and Protestant.

The role of religion can't be understated in this discussion.

https://alcohol.iu.edu/articles/protestants-catholics/index.html

Probably some truth to that.  In my experience, those differences have mostly disappeared in my lifetime.  Louisiana may have started predominantly Catholic, but I'd wager the vast majority of the state now is not Catholic.  You get a higher percentage of it amongst the residents of Acadiana, but again, most of the state is not that.  It's mostly a bunch of Baptists and Pentecostals and non-denominationals now.  

I still think an average family in Alexandria, LA will be more similar to a family in Jackson, MS than Tyler, TX.  

This has as much to do with Texans and the Texas-identity thing as anything to do with Louisiana and the South.  Texans are.....Texans.  Just ask 'em.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on April 27, 2026, 10:01:03 AM
Probably some truth to that.  In my experience, those differences have mostly disappeared in my lifetime.  Louisiana may have started predominantly Catholic, but I'd wager the vast majority of the state now is not Catholic.  You get a higher percentage of it amongst the residents of Acadiana, but again, most of the state is not that.  It's mostly a bunch of Baptists and Pentecostals and non-denominationals now. 

I still think an average family in Alexandria, LA will be more similar to a family in Jackson, MS than Tyler, TX. 

This has as much to do with Texans and the Texas-identity thing as anything to do with Louisiana and the South.  Texans are.....Texans.  Just ask 'em. 

True that.

Lots of Catholics in Texas though.  There's this fairly large almost entirely Catholic country directly to the south that has a pretty strong influence here.  It doesn't have much influence on the Southern part of Texas culture, but it's a decent part of the reason Texas as a whole doesn't fit neatly into The South.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on April 27, 2026, 10:25:12 AM

Really?  I'd want to know how surveying on the ground is different than mapping, plotting, etc.  It's a township and range state where most everything is neatly divided into squares.  It's like falling off of a log. 

One who finds Louisiana difficult would certainly not want to mess with a metes and bounds state like Texas, I'd think.  If you get a tract of land in Texas with less than 50 directions and distances and three or four markers as your starting point, you've hit the jackpot. 

Reading the field notes to identify and/or map my family's land in Louisiana is something a 5-year old could do.  Reading the field notes in Texas when I was a landman could make you claw your eyes out. 
Texas has every form of Land Surveying. Some French claims, some Spanish, some British, some US Public Land Survey system.

I've done quite a bit in Texas. Claw your eyes out? Not for a licensed surveyor. We like challenges.

Everything in Land Surveying is about tracing the original footsteps to perpetuate the original intent of the surveys made. No one method is more difficult than others, in that regard.

As for a 5 year old kid doing it ...umm... No. Sorry.

That's way off base.

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on April 27, 2026, 11:02:01 AM
I worked probably around 35 - 40 counties in Texas, mostly what's loosely called south Texas, east Texas, and a little bit of southeast Texas.  They were all metes and bounds, and I haven't heard of many places that aren't.  Some told me the pan-handle counties up around Amarillo are township and range for geological reasons that make metes and bounds impractical.  

I never worked up there, or in West Texas, so I wouldn't personally know.  Never worked in central Texas either, because there's no oil or gas there, dammit.  Would've made commuting way easier back in the day.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on April 27, 2026, 11:21:12 AM
I've done quite a bit in Texas. Claw your eyes out? Not for a licensed surveyor. We like challenges.


Get a hold of some surveyor notes that for a vector says something like "N60W, about the length of time it takes a man to roll a cigarette while riding a horse in mid-stride."  

I kid you not, that's a real thing a surveyor wrote.  WTF?  How fast does this man roll a cigarette?  How healthy is his horse?  And what the actual ****?  

I ran into countless things like that.  

Had a tract that came to be about 200 acres off on a 400 acre tract of land.  I don't know what that surveyor was drinking that day, but I reckon Fearless had something to do with it.  How can you be 200 ac. off on a 400 ac. piece of property?  

We mostly used a program called Deed Plotter to punch in the field notes, though my first bosses were sticklers for learning how to use the engineering scales and a protractor to do it the old-school way.  The problem was figuring out where the mistake was when something wasn't transcribed correctly or the lawyer who put the deed together or the surveyor he used was drunk.  If N60W gets changed to N60E in a string of 200 lines, you get nonsense, and it's not obvious where the error is.  Well, to some people who had been doing it long enough, it kind of was.  I knew guys who could spot the problems very quickly and fix it, though I didn't reach that point.  

I don't know much about land-surveying, but I do know trying to cipher through a lot of their old field notes in Texas counties can be quite a chore.  It varied heavily by county.  Some counties routinely had pristine field notes from surveyors (and property title, too)--the sober companies, perhaps--and some counties had awful field notes and title too.  The more recent surveys from, say, the 1990's on, were mostly very good everywhere, and much cleaner and easier to deal with.  Those surveyors in the old days......oof....it was like a box of chocolates, never know what you're gonna get.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Gigem on April 27, 2026, 11:22:26 AM
Stupid question…but when a piece of land gets resold or divided up and resurveyed, do they do it with modern means, GPS coordinates and all that jazz?  Or are you bound by the archaic methods? 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on April 27, 2026, 11:25:54 AM
Well, it's been (one of) my Profession for 40+ years. Unless you have the education, apprenticeship, testing, and practice, it's not surveying.

Some of the biggest problems we have are unlicensed practice and negligence. "Anyone" can set a corner (not).

I've served as an expert witness to many cases, and the most rewarding are when the case is over and found in favor of my expertise (I've never lost) relative to land lines. 

Next to those would be testimony to remove a clown's license for negligence, and after that would be getting rid of the unlicensed practice asshats.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on April 27, 2026, 11:28:52 AM
Stupid question…but when a piece of land gets resold or divided up and resurveyed, do they do it with modern means, GPS coordinates and all that jazz?  Or are you bound by the archaic methods?
For me, both.

There is no robot or GPS that is going to do a boundary recon/search and find me what I need for my boundary analysis. 

Once I'm done and a survey is published, we return to set the corners to State Plane systems.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Gigem on April 27, 2026, 11:29:46 AM
I went to a Catholic funeral last week. The whole thing seemed so weird to me. The first guy gets up , I didn’t know what to expect , but he did like 10-20 Hail Marys. I guess I expected him to talk about the deceased , but it was just Hail Marys on top of Hail Mary. 

Next guy, I still expect him to say something about the deceased. Nope. 10-20 Hail Marys. 

Next guy..I have no idea why I expected then, but I was thinking, now they’re going to say something about the deceased. Nope. 10-20 Hail Marys. 

Next guy, I was pretty sure it would be something different. Nope. 10-20 Hail Marys. 

Then some more chanting. I think it was Latin. Then some pseudo knight looking guys with swords, marching in formation. Chanting something. I think it was Latin as well. 

More Hail Marys and chanting. 

So bizarre. Not trying to dog anybody else’s religion, but it was all very strange to an outsider. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on April 27, 2026, 11:33:41 AM
I went to a Catholic funeral last week. The whole thing seemed so weird to me. The first guy gets up , I didn’t know what to expect , but he did like 10-20 Hail Marys. I guess I expected him to talk about the deceased , but it was just Hail Marys on top of Hail Mary.

Next guy, I still expect him to say something about the deceased. Nope. 10-20 Hail Marys.

Next guy..I have no idea why I expected then, but I was thinking, now they’re going to say something about the deceased. Nope. 10-20 Hail Marys.

Next guy, I was pretty sure it would be something different. Nope. 10-20 Hail Marys.

Then some more chanting. I think it was Latin. Then some pseudo knight looking guys with swords, marching in formation. Chanting something. I think it was Latin as well.

More Hail Marys and chanting.

So bizarre. Not trying to dog anybody else’s religion, but it was all very strange to an outsider.
That sound like the old Latin-style traditional mass. Most are not like that at all.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on April 27, 2026, 11:34:40 AM
I've been to a couple funerals in a Catholic church/cathedral, and they were quite different from what you describe.  Attended one in Paris off to the side of a huge cathedral.

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Gigem on April 27, 2026, 11:40:42 AM
I’ve been to two catholic funerals. The first one was all chanting in Latin. 

Second one was 4-5 guys doing 10-20 Hail Marys. 

Never been to Catholic Church. Maybe once, in the 80’s. I don’t really remember much about it. 

Plenty of Methodist and Baptist and all the other -ist sects though. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Cincydawg on April 27, 2026, 11:44:03 AM
I've attended maybe 30 Masses with my wife, two weddings, and two funerals.  They are "different", to me, but at least the Masses are short.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on April 27, 2026, 11:57:10 AM
What does a Hail Mary entail? 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on April 27, 2026, 11:59:06 AM
(https://assets-prd.ignimgs.com/2026/03/20/rocky-thumb-1774032330859.jpg)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on April 27, 2026, 12:02:21 PM
What does a Hail Mary entail?
(https://i.imgur.com/JMyB1Zt.png)


Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MrNubbz on April 27, 2026, 12:36:30 PM
RC used to be cheaper than the others, but not anymore.
I like Diet Pepsi. I gave up caffeine.
Morning drink Diet Mt. Dew.  Get grumpy if I don't have it
all of that lab concocted ka-ka is turrible,just turrible for youse
try light roast,whole bean Coffee - straight up :great:
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on April 27, 2026, 12:37:37 PM
Stupid question…but when a piece of land gets resold or divided up and resurveyed, do they do it with modern means, GPS coordinates and all that jazz?  Or are you bound by the archaic methods?

Like Badger said, a good surveyor will likely use modern equipment while still applying his expertise and time-tested methods.  Some of those old surveyors were commendably accurate, for their day.  You have to figure that when a guy is dragging chains through the woods and following creek/river lines with a compass in his hand and calculating arpents or whatever....if he winds up close to reality, that's a good job.  

Badger would know, but I think modern guys use all kinds of cool stuff.  Lasers, and such (not the sci-fi kind that can kill you).  

I've never seen a modern field-note description that didn't wind up calculating acreage at least slightly differently than old surveys.  You would expect that to a certain degree with modern equipment.  The other thing is those creeks and rivers move a little bit over time.  The water changes your boundaries as it remakes the property.  The legal side of it (in Texas, at least) is not necessarily clear-cut.  You might assume that if the edge of a property was originally a water line, then the property line remains consistent with that body of water.  And sometimes that will be the ruling in a disputed matter.  But other times it may be found that the property line extends to the best estimate of where it used to be, the judge ruling something along the lines of saying that just because some land eroded, that doesn't mean a guy owns less of the Earth than he used to, or the guy on the other side owns more.  

It's also not legally set in stone which set of surveyor's notes is going to hold sway.  Formal legal descriptions tend to be based on surveyors' field notes.  The trick is, you can't just change your legal description because a tract got resurveyed and now it's said to comprise 5 more (or less) acres.  One thing we were never allowed to do was make legal judgements.  I could complete the title, gather the data, put reports together and point out discrepancies, but I could not change a legal description.  Frequently, that kind of stuff went to lawyers to sort out amongst varying parties.  

Bear in mind, I'm thinking about this stuff in terms of calculating the total acreage of a piece of land for the purposes of knowing how much money someone should be paid for a mineral lease.  Suppose a piece of land has long been legally described in deeds and wills as 300 acres.  But then say the most recent survey--and the first in 50 years--when plotted out, contains only 295 acres.  Does the guy legally own 300 acres or 295 acres?  Do I pay him only for 295 acres or do I have to pay him for the extra 5?  That kind of thing tended to ultimately sorted out by lawyers, even if we immediately lock up a lease and then later have to amend it.  For me, all the recorded surveys on a property ultimately were to help me make sure I'm dealing with the piece of land I'm supposed to be dealing with.   If Badger tells me this tract is 296.0532 acres, all I can really do with his updated, modern expertise, is note it and use it as confidence in my chain of title.

So if a modern survey is 25 acres off from an old survey, Badger is probably asking "How in the world did these people survey this land?  On meth?"  I'm asking "Which one of these do I pay on?"  Badger knows the answer to "How many acres is this, definitely?  Often times lawyers have to tell me the answer to "How many acres do I actually pay for?"  

and, crap.....I just re-read your comment and realized I typed all this as an answer to something you didn't really ask.  Oh well, posting anyway.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on April 27, 2026, 12:42:56 PM
I’ve been to two catholic funerals. The first one was all chanting in Latin.

Second one was 4-5 guys doing 10-20 Hail Marys.

Never been to Catholic Church. Maybe once, in the 80’s. I don’t really remember much about it.

Plenty of Methodist and Baptist and all the other -ist sects though.


Back in 2004 I was a groomsman in a Catholic wedding, which was hilarious for many reasons, one of which was that I was woefully unprepared for some of the traditions that went with that.  Lots of elements that were similar to non-Catholic weddings I'd been in, but a few that caught me by surprise, which they did not prepare me for.  

I started studying theology informally a couple years ago, and with that came kind of an unintentional study of the various denominations.  Plus, my wife is Catholic now, so I've wound up knowing a fair bit about Catholocism these days.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on April 27, 2026, 12:46:00 PM
I was a groomsman for one of my Jewish friends.  I wore the kippah and everything. It was similar to a Christian wedding in many ways, but also different.

The chair dance was a lot of fun. 

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MrNubbz on April 27, 2026, 12:47:19 PM
I went to a Catholic funeral last week.  Chanting something. I think it was Latin as well.

More Hail Marys and chanting.

So bizarre. Not trying to dog anybody else’s religion, but it was all very strange to an outsider.
That is weird I've been to many funerals for friends Catholic parents and there were testimonies from others and scripture reading. That might be some old ancient order or sumsuch. But like Larry the cable Guy said those catholics are in good shape,standing/kneeling getting back up to sit."oh lordie" he says
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Riffraft on April 27, 2026, 01:04:01 PM
all of that lab concocted ka-ka is turrible,just turrible for youse
try light roast,whole bean Coffee - straight up :great:
Only way I drink coffee is with Bailey's in it
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MrNubbz on April 27, 2026, 01:08:51 PM
Try eggnog in it around the holidays
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on April 27, 2026, 01:26:04 PM
Gas $5.65/gallon at Costco. And that was the 87 octane, since I drove the Jeep today. The 91 was $5.99 IIRC. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on April 27, 2026, 01:27:58 PM
Had to drop off a check in the mailbox this morning. On the mailbox, they had a thing saying that mailbox is subject to frequent mail theft, and not to put any important or valuable mail in it. 

Umm... How about you secure your shit, USPS, not tell me that you can't be trusted with a piece of mail deposited in the mailbox RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOUR GODDAMN BUILDING!!!

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on April 27, 2026, 01:28:22 PM
Gas $5.65/gallon at Costco. And that was the 87 octane, since I drove the Jeep today. The 91 was $5.99 IIRC.


I filled up at a non-Costco place for around $3.20 yesterday.  I assume Costco is cheaper than that but it wasn't convenient.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on April 27, 2026, 01:35:48 PM
I filled up at a non-Costco place for around $3.20 yesterday.  I assume Costco is cheaper than that but it wasn't convenient.

We have a LOT of Costco locations around here. I think I looked at it and I've got about 6 Costco stores within roughly a 10 mile radius (or a little more) from home. 

The one today is basically almost a direct line from my house to my office. 

Between that and the fact that I go to Costco weekly anyway, I rarely fill up any place else. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on April 27, 2026, 01:39:03 PM
I filled up at a non-Costco place for around $3.20 yesterday.  I assume Costco is cheaper than that but it wasn't convenient.

Sheesh, I filled up yesterday for $3.44 per gallon yesterday, and in my experience this area tends to be cheaper than the Hill Country, being closer to a bunch of refineries and all.  Now I'm grumpy.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on April 27, 2026, 01:39:46 PM
We've got 3 Costco in the Austin area, the closest one is only about 5 miles away.  But I didn't feel like driving that far.  When gas is a scant $3.20, it's not worth my time to drive a couple of miles further.

:)

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on April 27, 2026, 01:47:45 PM
Dang, we've got two, and are only a fraction of the size of Austin. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on April 27, 2026, 01:48:07 PM
Yeah, but I'm tryna figure out why anywhere in Austin is cheaper than here.  I filled up at Walmart which is consistently the cheapest in this area.  So it's almost certainly more than $3.44 on average around here.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on April 27, 2026, 01:49:41 PM
Yeah, but I'm tryna figure out why anywhere in Austin is cheaper than here.  I filled up at Walmart which is consistently the cheapest in this area.  So it's almost certainly more than $3.44 on average around here. 
Couldn't tell ya. Indeed it's usually cheaper the closer you get to the coast/Houston/refineries.

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MrNubbz on April 27, 2026, 02:23:25 PM
Gas $5.65/gallon at Costco. And that was the 87 octane, since I drove the Jeep today. The 91 was $5.99 IIRC.

3.69/gal. here  this morning when I filled up
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MrNubbz on April 27, 2026, 02:25:41 PM
We've got 3 Costco in the Austin area, the closest one is only about 5 miles away.  But I didn't feel like driving that far.  When gas is a scant $3.20, it's not worth my time to drive a couple of miles further.

:)
Betcha all those Lonhorn portal pukes don't for their rides either
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: bayareabadger on April 27, 2026, 02:32:17 PM
I went to a Catholic funeral last week. The whole thing seemed so weird to me. The first guy gets up , I didn’t know what to expect , but he did like 10-20 Hail Marys. I guess I expected him to talk about the deceased , but it was just Hail Marys on top of Hail Mary.

Next guy, I still expect him to say something about the deceased. Nope. 10-20 Hail Marys.

Next guy..I have no idea why I expected then, but I was thinking, now they’re going to say something about the deceased. Nope. 10-20 Hail Marys.

Next guy, I was pretty sure it would be something different. Nope. 10-20 Hail Marys.

Then some more chanting. I think it was Latin. Then some pseudo knight looking guys with swords, marching in formation. Chanting something. I think it was Latin as well.

More Hail Marys and chanting.

So bizarre. Not trying to dog anybody else’s religion, but it was all very strange to an outsider.
Went to a non-denominational but I think vaguely Baptist funeral (it was maybe a memorial, but got more religious than that) a few months back. Found it quite strange. I think because this particular pastor had a large dose of proselytizing that felt self-serving and it was odd because the deceased was definitely not publicly religious, but maybe privately more than he let on.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: bayareabadger on April 27, 2026, 02:33:18 PM
I was a groomsman for one of my Jewish friends.  I wore the kippah and everything. It was similar to a Christian wedding in many ways, but also different.

The chair dance was a lot of fun.


The chair dance is always so enjoyable.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on April 27, 2026, 02:42:57 PM
Betcha all those Lonhorn portal pukes don't for their rides either
Not sure all those Lamborghinis even run on normal fuel.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MrNubbz on April 27, 2026, 02:55:33 PM
won't be long before I buy a quarter horse and in a Amish Buggy
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on April 27, 2026, 03:00:32 PM
Not sure all those Lamborghinis even run on normal fuel. 

I started watching an Amazon Prime documentary about LSU NIL in 2023 called The Money Game, which I didn't know about until just recently.  Don't know if there were any Lamborghinis, but a few of them appeared to be doing pretty well.  And, there's this one kid whose name I've never heard and didn't have a clue about.  Probably because he played basketball, and our basketball team has sucked for decades.  I guess that was sort of the point, to show what NIL realities are for average "nobodies" in addition to more recognizable names.  

I could talk about that in the TV thread, but listening to a bunch of kids whining about not getting paid enough to play a sport they love makes me grumpy. 

Although watching Olivia Dunne in her gym outfit kinda offsets the grumpiness.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on April 27, 2026, 03:19:52 PM
won't be long before I buy a quarter horse and in a Amish Buggy
(https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTVeGDjhiiwbuYkRLvoat_qthNj8BwDsG_fcw&s)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on April 29, 2026, 07:21:56 PM
Why does someone apply for a job, get through the phone consult to be offered an interview... And then no-call no-show?!

My wife is hiring a new medical assistant. She's actually getting some pretty good applicants this time (unlike her last two cycles). 

But she's getting probably 30%+ no-call no-show rate on agreed-to interviews. Interviews that were scheduled by an actual phone conversation between two real people, not some online appointment program. And this high rate is consistent with her last two hiring cycles. 

I could see the occasional one-off. But how is it possible that the no-call no-show rate is so high? What the hell is wrong with people? Can't you have the courtesy if you've changed your mind to call and say you're not going to be there?
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on April 29, 2026, 09:38:18 PM
That's some BS right there.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: bayareabadger on April 29, 2026, 09:43:25 PM
Why does someone apply for a job, get through the phone consult to be offered an interview... And then no-call no-show?!

My wife is hiring a new medical assistant. She's actually getting some pretty good applicants this time (unlike her last two cycles).

But she's getting probably 30%+ no-call no-show rate on agreed-to interviews. Interviews that were scheduled by an actual phone conversation between two real people, not some online appointment program. And this high rate is consistent with her last two hiring cycles.

I could see the occasional one-off. But how is it possible that the no-call no-show rate is so high? What the hell is wrong with people? Can't you have the courtesy if you've changed your mind to call and say you're not going to be there?
I feel like for some reason I’ve heard that about that job. But that might’ve been from you.

Either way, I wish I had the level of opportunities to be able to pull that off.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on April 30, 2026, 07:57:12 AM
What the hell is wrong with people? 
I'm certain you know the answer to this.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on April 30, 2026, 09:31:57 AM
Why does someone apply for a job, get through the phone consult to be offered an interview... And then no-call no-show?!

My wife is hiring a new medical assistant. She's actually getting some pretty good applicants this time (unlike her last two cycles).

But she's getting probably 30%+ no-call no-show rate on agreed-to interviews. Interviews that were scheduled by an actual phone conversation between two real people, not some online appointment program. And this high rate is consistent with her last two hiring cycles.

I could see the occasional one-off. But how is it possible that the no-call no-show rate is so high? What the hell is wrong with people? Can't you have the courtesy if you've changed your mind to call and say you're not going to be there?

In Mrs. DeT's sphere (which is obviously anecdotal and a limited sample size), she says the MA's mostly entering the workforce are Gen Z and are pretty poor communicators and workers, with little motivation to do more than they absolutely have to.  Says they don't chip in to do anything to help the providers if they have down time from their mandated duties.  And that they're constantly late and taking off of work.  We have a running joke in our house about her Mondays, because their MA's are forever calling in sick on Monday mornings.  Funny how it's always Monday morning that they just can't.  For years she was used to working with MA's who were millennial, Gen X, or older.  She claims the amount of hustle from the Gen Z crowd has been lacking compared to the others.  Her office just lost an Gen Z MA to maternity leave, and the temp they hired is about 60 years old, and she says it's been like a breath of fresh air.  

Suppose that her experience generalizes relatively well to the broader pool of MA candidates out there.  I don't know the ages of the ones your wife was scheduled to interview, but if they were ~Gen Z, then I could see people with meh work ethic blowing off interviews either because something better came along and they didn't think it was worth notifying your wife, or because they just didn't feel like it that day.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: bayareabadger on April 30, 2026, 10:43:55 AM
I recall when I got my first job, I had two offers. I’d accepted one, but couldn’t find the right time to call and tell them (let’s be real, it felt somewhat intimidatingly). 

They ended up calling me on Thanksgiving. Were very nice about it. I reached out a year later to apologize and they were like “we didn’t care that much.”
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Wildcat4E on April 30, 2026, 11:53:03 AM
That is weird I've been to many funerals for friends Catholic parents and there were testimonies from others and scripture reading. That might be some old ancient order or sumsuch. But like Larry the cable Guy said those catholics are in good shape,standing/kneeling getting back up to sit."oh lordie" he says
Heavily Catholic community I'm living in, all the Volga Germans still here from the 1890's.  Had a guy tell me my daughters should have married one, that way they would never leave to crazy ass places like FLA, LA, and TX.

Joke I heard a while back:

What's the one thing you won't see at a Catholic Funeral?

A: Tears!

It's just a lengthy ritual that hardly says anything about the dead guy.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on April 30, 2026, 03:26:31 PM
In Mrs. DeT's sphere (which is obviously anecdotal and a limited sample size), she says the MA's mostly entering the workforce are Gen Z and are pretty poor communicators and workers, with little motivation to do more than they absolutely have to.  Says they don't chip in to do anything to help the providers if they have down time from their mandated duties.  And that they're constantly late and taking off of work.  We have a running joke in our house about her Mondays, because their MA's are forever calling in sick on Monday mornings.  Funny how it's always Monday morning that they just can't.  For years she was used to working with MA's who were millennial, Gen X, or older.  She claims the amount of hustle from the Gen Z crowd has been lacking compared to the others.  Her office just lost an Gen Z MA to maternity leave, and the temp they hired is about 60 years old, and she says it's been like a breath of fresh air. 

Suppose that her experience generalizes relatively well to the broader pool of MA candidates out there.  I don't know the ages of the ones your wife was scheduled to interview, but if they were ~Gen Z, then I could see people with meh work ethic blowing off interviews either because something better came along and they didn't think it was worth notifying your wife, or because they just didn't feel like it that day. 
I do think that's the case. A lot of them are Gen Z. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on April 30, 2026, 04:21:28 PM
I do think that's the case. A lot of them are Gen Z.

At my wife's company, one of the previous MAs was a Gen Z girl who exemplified all this behavior.  She was also a real Type A personality and got herself in hot(ish) water a few times by firing off unwise emails to upper management about stuff that was really none of her business.  She'd regret it, and then boo-hoo in my wife's office (while she's trying to get actual work done) about how she really needed that job, she couldn't afford to lose another one, because apparently she'd already been let go by two similar companies for similar behavior.  And all that on top of the fact that she knew she called in a bunch of days (usually on Mondays).  

In true Dilbert fashion, she was promoted to management.  She is over my wife's clinic and several in the Houston area.  While she has no authority over any of the medical decisions, she is technically my wife and the other providers' boss, as far as operations, scheduling, requests for time off, etc.  

My wife does note that the girl actually seems to thrive since being promoted.  She is allowed to work from home about as often as she wants in that role, and my wife says that while she's absolutely no help in coming in to staff the place to have adequate personnel so that providers can sometimes leave early if they are done with their patient load, that she's pretty on top of the day-to-day stuff.  Apparently she just wasn't cut out to be a peon.  She needed to be able to boss people around.  

My wife is cool with that, and doesn't really care.  Mostly she's just happy that they don't count on her for actual MA work anymore.

Me, I have a problem in principle with giving somebody a larger role (and paycheck) who couldn't be trusted in a lesser role.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on April 30, 2026, 04:33:00 PM
I'd have whacked her.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: bayareabadger on April 30, 2026, 04:35:23 PM
Where do I get a job like that where my indifference is rewarded?


(I am interested in the extra work vs. I do what you pay me to do angle, but that links to my own experience)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on April 30, 2026, 04:36:15 PM
Where do I get a job like that where my indifference is rewarded?


(I am interested in the extra work vs. I do what you pay me to do angle, but that links to my own experience)
Don't look at me.


:96:
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: SFBadger96 on April 30, 2026, 04:43:28 PM
(https://i.imgur.com/qMrgsS0.png)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on April 30, 2026, 04:50:38 PM
(https://i.imgur.com/Q4hJ5Su.png)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MrNubbz on April 30, 2026, 04:56:31 PM
Me, I have a problem in principle with giving somebody a larger role (and paycheck) who couldn't be trusted in a lesser role. 
Says everyone with common sense or who has their own business.It's not as uncommon as believed though, I'm familiar with a very nauseating case of F-Up,Move-Up. It seems like a massive group effort
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on May 01, 2026, 08:05:54 AM
it once was the peter principle, now it's this???
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: bayareabadger on May 01, 2026, 09:23:09 AM
Don't look at me.


:96:
There have to be some incompetent bosses somewhere around here.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on May 01, 2026, 12:24:34 PM
Says everyone with common sense or who has their own business.It's not as uncommon as believed though, I'm familiar with a very nauseating case of F-Up,Move-Up. It seems like a massive group effort

Hell, that moved Lane Kiffin along for years.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on May 02, 2026, 12:46:43 PM
Grumpy.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on May 02, 2026, 12:52:09 PM
Grumpy.

Seems like it's coming down though isn't it?  What is regular unleaded, 87 or whatever your lowest grade is there?
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Gigem on May 02, 2026, 12:57:34 PM
Final bill for the new V-10?  $13,960.21.  Grumpy.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on May 02, 2026, 01:04:58 PM
Final bill for the new V-10?  $13,960.21.  Grumpy. 
Dang
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on May 02, 2026, 01:11:28 PM
Grumpy.

$3.59 in Paradise.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on May 02, 2026, 02:47:43 PM
$3.59 in Paradise.
Thanks Badge... Just when I was getting grumpy, you reminded me...

...that at least I don't live in Florida :57:
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MrNubbz on May 02, 2026, 03:03:19 PM
They're going to get him at the Marine Docks though - they're pretty slippery over there

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on May 02, 2026, 05:01:18 PM
They're going to get him at the Marine Docks though - they're pretty slippery over there


Just paid $3.89 for 90 Octane/no ethanol.

We get it wholesale because we are members.

You'll have to keep trying to get me down.

You've been at it pretty hard lately.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on May 02, 2026, 05:02:04 PM
Thanks Badge... Just when I was getting grumpy, you reminded me...

...that at least I don't live in Florida :57:
Hmm. Not sure you'd fit in after all those years out there.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on May 02, 2026, 05:22:43 PM
Final bill for the new V-10?  $13,960.21.  Grumpy. 
That's how much my car cost.  Been paid off 3 years now.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: bayareabadger on May 02, 2026, 07:57:51 PM
Gas crossed the $4 barrier here. Dipped for a bit and then rose.

Displeased.

Also, had to get up a bit earlier than usual for an hour drive for a couple of family things today. Man, I felt like shit, like halfway through. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on May 02, 2026, 09:51:01 PM
I'm not grumpy, didn't buy gasoline today
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on May 02, 2026, 11:12:18 PM
Also, had to get up a bit earlier than usual for an hour drive for a couple of family things today. Man, I felt like shit, like halfway through.
Hell, most days I wake up between 2:30 and 3:30 and then just stare at the ceiling until the dog wants to get up. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on May 03, 2026, 01:27:49 AM
When I first moved here they set off fireworks five times a year. One by one they are each getting replaced with a drone show. Drone shows are lame as all get out. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on May 03, 2026, 07:02:28 AM
Hell, most days I wake up between 2:30 and 3:30 and then just stare at the ceiling until the dog wants to get up.
3:30-4:30 for me

headed out @ 7:30am to a 4-man scramble this morning  - went to bed early (10am)
daughter and her friend prank called me at 20 minutes after midnight - took a while to get back to sleep
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: bayareabadger on May 03, 2026, 07:57:43 AM
Hell, most days I wake up between 2:30 and 3:30 and then just stare at the ceiling until the dog wants to get up.
I suppose I’ll be less grumpy about my sleeping ability. Grumpy over some stress dreams last night, but overall got some rest. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on May 03, 2026, 08:04:07 AM
I'm happy.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on May 03, 2026, 08:29:05 AM
me too

2 cups of coffee, shit, shower & shave
ready to hit the links and enjoy a few budweisers with the fellas

(https://i.imgur.com/9QXMNZs.png)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on May 03, 2026, 12:31:13 PM
Thanks Badge... Just when I was getting grumpy, you reminded me...

...that at least I don't live in Florida :57:
Florida's great.  Weather is way better than California. :)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: bayareabadger on May 03, 2026, 04:08:25 PM
I wish Ca sucked more. Or, I guess at different life transition points I did. 

But it’s good enough to be in high demand, so I live elsewhere. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on May 03, 2026, 05:10:26 PM
I wish Ca sucked more. Or, I guess at different life transition points I did.

But it’s good enough to be in high demand, so I live elsewhere.
We have a large amount of CA folks moving here. You could just join them. Much easier.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on May 03, 2026, 07:29:13 PM
finished tied for 1st  - 18 under, take 2nd place in a scorecard playoff - yes, we parred the #1 handicap hole (no problem there)

$85 entry fee, $35 for finishing 2nd

it's common that 2nd place in a flight would get entry fee back

oh well, had a great time
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MrNubbz on May 03, 2026, 07:38:05 PM
We have a large amount of CA folks moving here. You could just join them. Much easier.
alot of the Cali crowd about 5 years back started border hopping to Az/Nevada.Deserts basically because of the craptastic gov't they say. A Buddy had a house built in '22 in Phoenix,the contractor mentioned had he signed a contract 7-8 months earlier it would have been like 15-20% less
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Riffraft on May 04, 2026, 09:35:22 AM
alot of the Cali crowd about 5 years back started border hopping to Az/Nevada.Deserts basically because of the craptastic gov't they say. A Buddy had a house built in '22 in Phoenix,the contractor mentioned had he signed a contract 7-8 months earlier it would have been like 15-20% less
The influx of Californians to Arizona cause as massive spike in housing prices.  There was a period around 21, 22, 23 when you couldn't buy a house unless you offer a large bit over the asking price, all cash and no contingencies because they were coming after selling their million dollar houses that were the equivalent of at $500K here and making cash offers.  Worked out for me in that I sold my 5 BR house with a casita for double the price I had purchased it 4 years earlier and was able to downsize to a 2 BR in a 55+ community in the middle of all of it.  The worst problem with it is while they said they were leaving because of taxes, regulations, etc. but they brought the politics that created the problem with them.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on May 04, 2026, 09:47:12 AM
The influx of Californians to Arizona cause as massive spike in housing prices.  There was a period around 21, 22, 23 when you couldn't buy a house unless you offer a large bit over the asking price, all cash and no contingencies because they were coming after selling their million dollar houses that were the equivalent of at $500K here and making cash offers.  Worked out for me in that I sold my 5 BR house with a casita for double the price I had purchased it 4 years earlier and was able to downsize to a 2 BR in a 55+ community in the middle of all of it.  The worst problem with it is while they said they were leaving because of taxes, regulations, etc. but they brought the politics that created the problem with them. 

Same issues in Austin, which is why I moved out of the city proper.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on May 04, 2026, 10:09:14 AM
Same issues in Austin, which is why I moved out of the city proper.
Highly doubtful that it will hit here.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on May 04, 2026, 10:11:49 AM
Gas was $3.59 yesterday, up from $3.44 last week.  That's better than what I know some of y'all pay, but it's making me grumpy.  

After years of riding out the life of my old gas-friendly car, I picked exactly the wrong time to buy a truck.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on May 04, 2026, 10:16:29 AM
It'll come back down. I'm not at all concerned at this point.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: jgvol on May 04, 2026, 10:18:31 AM
$4.10 here yesterday.  Grumpy.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MaximumSam on May 04, 2026, 10:19:43 AM
4.99 here when I filled up Saturday. Think they may install a machine where you can trade blood for gas.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on May 04, 2026, 10:28:23 AM
We are being gouged. We get almost none of our oil (<10%) from the Middle East. This is bullshit.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on May 04, 2026, 10:28:47 AM
I'm gonna fill up at $3.76 on my way out of town for the week
I expect 450 miles today
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on May 04, 2026, 01:57:16 PM
We are being gouged. We get almost none of our oil (<10%) from the Middle East. This is bullshit.
It's still a global market though.  If scarcity is driving up the price coming out of the middle east, it's gonna drive up the price here as well.  Not by as much, but local providers would be crazy to sell at a rate that's well below market value.


Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on May 04, 2026, 02:01:47 PM
It's still a global market though.  If scarcity is driving up the price coming out of the middle east, it's gonna drive up the price here as well.  Not by as much, but local providers would be crazy to sell at a rate that's well below market value.



I understand that, but I'm still not buying that gas should be anywhere near $4, let alone $7. It's gouging.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: bayareabadger on May 04, 2026, 02:22:19 PM
I understand that, but I'm still not buying that gas should be anywhere near $4, let alone $7. It's gouging.
That’s just capitalism, bay-bee!
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: bayareabadger on May 04, 2026, 02:24:17 PM
We have a large amount of CA folks moving here. You could just join them. Much easier.
You misunderstand. 

I live somewhere cheaper than Ca (and probably Florida). If Ca got much cheaper, or someone offered me crazy money, I’d think about moving back. 

But chances are low for both, and now I’m developing some modest roots here. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on May 04, 2026, 02:34:06 PM
That’s just capitalism, bay-bee!
Gouging and Capitalism are not the same.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on May 04, 2026, 02:41:33 PM
You misunderstand.

I live somewhere cheaper than Ca (and probably Florida). If Ca got much cheaper, or someone offered me crazy money, I’d think about moving back.

But chances are low for both, and now I’m developing some modest roots here.
Oakland, Compton....
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: SFBadger96 on May 04, 2026, 02:57:29 PM
Oakland 3 bd/2 ba: ~$700-900K.

Compton: $600-700K.

That would get you a real nice house on a good sized lot, with a great school district in suburban Milwaukee.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on May 04, 2026, 03:07:02 PM
Our group will be putting about 75 houses on the market in Compton, probably in 2027.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: bayareabadger on May 04, 2026, 03:07:40 PM
Oakland, Compton....
I got a buddy living in Oakland. Bought a modestly sized home in an area that’s not terrible, but I’d describe as far from nice. They paid a silly amount for the house. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: bayareabadger on May 04, 2026, 03:09:01 PM
Gouging and Capitalism are not the same.
I beleive the freer market thinking doesn’t acknowledge gouging at all. It’s just a market at work. 

In what sense are we being gouged?
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on May 04, 2026, 03:28:38 PM
$7 / $4 = 1.75

$105 / $60 = 1.75

Seems like if you assume Badge's $7 vs $4 is accurate---although both are higher than the price he says he's paying in Paradise--the price of gas is tracking the price of oil? 

(https://i.imgur.com/rsIUK8d.png)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on May 04, 2026, 03:48:07 PM
We're up to $3.89 now.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on May 04, 2026, 03:49:32 PM
Gas always tracks with oil. It's gouging. Oil should be $80/barrel right now.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on May 04, 2026, 04:00:01 PM
I paid $3.82 a couple days ago.

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: bayareabadger on May 04, 2026, 04:25:39 PM
Gas always tracks with oil. It's gouging. Oil should be $80/barrel right now.
What’s the reason it should be? Do you think someone is holding back who shouldn’t?
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on May 04, 2026, 04:30:58 PM
Gas always tracks with oil. It's gouging. Oil should be $80/barrel right now.
Sounds like someone who could be shorting oil futures contracts right now, if he knows better than the market what oil "should be" right now. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on May 04, 2026, 05:13:25 PM
What’s the reason it should be? Do you think someone is holding back who shouldn’t?
Our domestic companies are to blame, IMO. There are no blockages in the Gulf or Permian areas.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: bayareabadger on May 04, 2026, 06:59:49 PM
Our domestic companies are to blame, IMO. There are no blockages in the Gulf or Permian areas.
The expectation is American oil should be sold to Americans at more reasonable prices?
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on May 05, 2026, 12:00:55 AM
I don't expect it but I think $80/barrel is reasonable

a very reasonable profit
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on May 05, 2026, 06:10:25 AM
Sounds like someone who could be shorting oil futures contracts right now, if he knows better than the market what oil "should be" right now.
I don't get into energy stuff. I'm just passing along information I've gleaned from others. I've got two friends here now who spent decades in the petro business in Texas.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on May 05, 2026, 06:28:04 AM
The expectation is American oil should be sold to Americans at more reasonable prices?
Cost should factor in. The cost for E-M extracting oil has not gone up in the Gulf or in Texas. The cost for refining hasn't gone up.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on May 05, 2026, 09:28:52 AM
Cost should factor in. The cost for E-M extracting oil has not gone up in the Gulf or in Texas. The cost for refining hasn't gone up.

I get what you're saying, but I think utee's point about it being a global market can't be overstated.  It's ultimately a function of supply/demand.  Even if we're not getting much O/G from the middle-east, scarcity in any sector of the market means a decrease in supply.  I think long-term, if the current conditions stabilized and companies had the chance to permanently and securely adjust their strategy, with the potential for segmenting off certain markets (like, say, ours), then you'd be correct in assuming prices could remain lower.  But while they're all tied to the same fluctuating circumstances in a piece of the market they all share, it's bound to happen.  Think Thomas Sowell, Basic Economics....whatever other factors seem important, supply/demand is undefeated, for good reasons, and it's ultimately to everyone's advantage if things function that way.  If the price was X and supply decreases, the price will increase from X.  

If we got no oil from the middle east and prices spiked, that'd be gouging, I guess.  As long as we rely on some percentage and are considered any part of their market, I don't see how rising prices can be avoided, without artificial interference, which usually doesn't work out how anyone intended.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on May 05, 2026, 09:40:23 AM
Canada Dominates Foreign Supply
Canada is by far the single largest source of imported crude oil, supplying nearly 60% of all U.S. crude imports. In 2024, Canadian imports averaged about 4 million barrels per day. Combined with Mexico, these two neighbors accounted for more than 71% of all crude oil entering the country.
After Canada and Mexico, the remaining top suppliers are Brazil, Colombia, and Iraq, each sending roughly 200,000 barrels per day or less. Saudi Arabia, once a dominant supplier, now accounts for a much smaller slice. The overall trend has been a sharp shift away from Middle Eastern oil toward Western Hemisphere sources over the past two decades.


OPEC nations collectively supply a shrinking share of U.S. imports. In 2022, Saudi Arabia and Iraq together made up about 11% of total petroleum imports. Canada alone, at 52%, dwarfs the entire OPEC contribution.

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on May 05, 2026, 09:48:39 AM
If we got no oil from the middle east and prices spiked, that'd be gouging, I guess.  As long as we rely on some percentage and are considered any part of their market, I don't see how rising prices can be avoided, without artificial interference, which usually doesn't work out how anyone intended. 

Actually, I am dead wrong on that.  Not sure what I was thinking there.    

If you're a supplying country and the global supply diminishes, the prices are going up in a free market.  Doesn't matter where we buy our supply.  Finito, end of story.  

I'd also remind that free-market equilibrium is not a quick, calculated thing.  It's a messy friction that often takes time to settle.  So it doesn't necessarily have to be gouging for prices to temporarily rise beyond whatever the true equilibrium price point is.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on May 05, 2026, 10:03:43 AM
You had the important part right, Mike. 

Oil is a global commodity. Prices are determined by supply and demand. It's not like one oil company just decides to "raise prices"--oil is traded as part of a commodities contract market. Like a lot of things, prices are not really "set", they're more "discovered". A commodities futures market is actually a pretty highly efficient engine for price discovery. 

You'd think Badge would know this, considering the first large and organized commodities market in the US was the...

Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT). 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on May 05, 2026, 10:06:18 AM
Commodities can and have long been manipulated.

(https://i.imgur.com/6tPbRyq.png)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on May 05, 2026, 10:11:06 AM
If they're so easily manipulated, why don't prices just stay high all the time? 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on May 05, 2026, 10:22:23 AM
If they're so easily manipulated, why don't prices just stay high all the time?

From what I know from my foray into day-trading, manipulating commodities is often not so much nefarious as it is the inevitable physics of markets.  For example, say Goldman-Sachs has a bunch of major players as clients who see decline, they want out, so GS drops a massive short order....well, it's kind of a self-fulfilling prophecy.  When that much volume sells, they actually cause the market to go down.  

It's technically illegal to manipulate the market like that, but in reality it happens every day.  The major brokers can't help but manipulate the market.  It's just the nature of the beast.  Those kinds of things, while manipulating the market, are temporary and won't have a lot to say about the long-term overall direction of the market.  If there are other, nefarious, long-term, more massive scale manipulations, I don't know about them.  

Now, there's also running stops, which they absolutely also do.  This is pure asshole behavior and manipulation for the sake of crapping on the little guys, because they can.  This also has little to no bearing on the overall market.  It just wipes out 95% of the people who try to swim in that ocean with such massive sharks.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on May 05, 2026, 10:32:47 AM
If they're so easily manipulated, why don't prices just stay high all the time?

Because there is money to be made when prices are low too.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on May 05, 2026, 10:36:59 AM
I dunno, this seems like a lot of handwaving to blame literally anything but a major supply shock, that we actually know is happening, for causing the rise in oil prices. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on May 05, 2026, 10:43:05 AM
It's not a major supply shock. I'm told there is plenty of oil in the chain and that other countries have stepped up.

Another one of my friends is the Chief Engineer and Master Captain on an oil tanker. Two months on, two months off.

He's on duty now.

His normal route is Houston to Fort Lauderdale and back.

Guess what?

His ship is currently in Vera Cruz.

Care to guess why?

(https://i.imgur.com/9Zxsaql.png)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Gigem on May 05, 2026, 10:46:25 AM
I understand that, but I'm still not buying that gas should be anywhere near $4, let alone $7. It's gouging.
As a (former) business owner, you should know better.  Nobody likes it, but last quarter the Oil Co's were not hardly even making any money.  It takes big bucks to be in the oil/refining business.  Gas was really nice and cheap a few months ago (here), so you got to take the downs with the ups.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on May 05, 2026, 10:48:52 AM
Huh?
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Gigem on May 05, 2026, 10:53:24 AM
Huh?
What? 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on May 05, 2026, 10:57:09 AM
Yes.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on May 05, 2026, 11:14:00 AM
Eh?
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on May 05, 2026, 11:18:43 AM
^^^ CANADIAN!!!
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on May 05, 2026, 11:19:41 AM
Derp.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on May 05, 2026, 11:41:57 AM
OK, so what to do about my wife and her penchant for wanting to always put my Global knives into the dishwasher?

I can't give her a beating. She's too kind and nice to be pissed off at.

I've asked repeatedly.

Maybe I should just wash them myself, and buy her a set that she can use and wreck?

I'm off to the sharpening guy from Texas now. Good guy. Loves my wife and many others who use dishwashers.

Sharp knives. Honest work. Cowboy Sharp®. - Cowboy Sharp® (https://cowboysharp.com/)

(https://i.imgur.com/K4YvDGV.png)


Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on May 05, 2026, 11:44:07 AM
Yeah I have a set of my own knives that I literally hide from my i s c & a aggie wife.  She uses whatever we have lying around and then always puts them in the dishwasher.  Doesn't bother me, they're not mine and I don't use them.

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MrNubbz on May 05, 2026, 11:47:30 AM
OK, so what to do about my wife and her penchant for wanting to always put my Global knives into the dishwasher?

I can't give her a beating. She's too kind and nice to be pissed off at.

I've asked repeatedly.

Same-same here with many things just get use to telling her then doing it your self
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Wildcat4E on May 05, 2026, 11:48:01 AM
I can really only report what my eyes have observed the last 10 days here, and I think I've pointed out that a big portion of the local population is actually happy when oil rises and don't mind a bit paying more to fill up their Lexus, Cadillacs, and 100K pickups, since the county is #1 oil producing in the State.

However, the gas prices are set by basically 2 entities, Kroger and a local big convenience store chain.  Kroger has actually been instructed by corporate to follow the convenience store changes, I'm told.

In the last 10 days, they went up $.20 twice, then back down $.21, and back up to $3.99.  It had been $3.59 at the beginning of that yo-yo.  You can't tell me that is following their costs absolutely.  

I guess some of you guys can better figure if the gas prices really correlate to a jump in crude oil from around $70/barrel at the end of January to $102, which is what the web says it is today.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on May 05, 2026, 12:34:59 PM
Yeah I have a set of my own knives that I literally hide from my i s c & a aggie wife.  She uses whatever we have lying around and then always puts them in the dishwasher.  Doesn't bother me, they're not mine and I don't use them.

Mrs. DeT doesn't put the good knives in the washer but they still get dull from a ton of use.  I've long had some good sharpening stones I used to knock off any dulling, but a couple years ago one of my stepsons got me an automated thing that spins really fast and sharpens knives.  I don't ever use it, because knife sharpening is one of his hobbies and he always asks me if we have any knives he can sharpen when he comes over.  If yes, I tell him, and then we get the knife back a week later or so when he comes back and it's like new.  I don't know when he expects me to ever use that thing he got me.  I think it was a Christmas present, maybe.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on May 05, 2026, 01:56:04 PM
I sharpen mine by hand with whetstones. 

My wife doesn't put any in the washer except two beater knives she knows I don't care about. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MrNubbz on May 05, 2026, 02:24:55 PM
I sharpen mine by hand with whetstones.
Oil stones(i hope) those water stones are a waste of time,guys now realizing diamond stones if the edge needs reprofiling. Then I use the Norton, for cutting silicon carbide (Crystolon) stone then finish with aluminum oxide (India) stone. You can pick it up in a combination set for around 50 bucks give/take 5 bucks. All much quicker and better than the softer Japanese stones. I use mineral oil on the stones food and kitchen safe. easy on clean up also
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on May 05, 2026, 06:13:51 PM
I simply got rid of the wife

the daughters on the other hand, moved out a few years ago
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on May 05, 2026, 06:19:47 PM
As a (former) business owner, you should know better.  Nobody likes it, but last quarter the Oil Co's were not hardly even making any money.  It takes big bucks to be in the oil/refining business.  Gas was really nice and cheap a few months ago (here), so you got to take the downs with the ups. 
hah, that's like listening to the corn farmers and cattle feeders around here

wah, wah, wah,:'( poor rich farmers barely makin a living - nearly starving!!!


:57:
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on May 05, 2026, 10:59:51 PM
1st - I was warned

went to the only mexican place in the state capitol of South Dakota............

the other place is closed on Tuesday

worst salsa EVER!!  w/o a doubt
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on May 05, 2026, 11:01:22 PM
terrible fajitas - terrible!!!

awful!!!
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on May 06, 2026, 08:33:31 AM
Salt cell for the pool is not working, so no chlorine is being produced right now. Pool was starting to turn green, so I went out and got some shock and some chlorine to make sure it doesn't turn over.

Company is coming to day to look at the salt cell. Hopefully they can fix it. New ones are really expensive.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on May 06, 2026, 09:22:15 AM
I have a friend with a saltwater pool and they've had some problems with it.  Ours is normal which works fine for me.

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on May 06, 2026, 09:25:54 AM
just thinkin about owning a pool makes me grumpy
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on May 06, 2026, 09:28:55 AM
just thinkin about owning a pool makes me grumpy
Living in FL without a pool would make me grumpy.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on May 06, 2026, 09:29:54 AM
I have a friend with a saltwater pool and they've had some problems with it.  Ours is normal which works fine for me.


This is the first time in the 6 years we've had it that it has given us problems. The salt pool is so much nicer on the skin than straight chlorine. We really love it.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on May 06, 2026, 09:33:18 AM
This is the first time in the 6 years we've had it that it has given us problems. The salt pool is so much nicer on the skin than straight chlorine. We really love it.
Yeah people say that.  I don't notice any difference.  But you gotta do you. 

He's considering switching to standard.

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on May 06, 2026, 09:34:28 AM
fill it in and make a putting green out of it

no more problems
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on May 06, 2026, 09:35:06 AM
Spoken like a true dirt farmer!
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on May 06, 2026, 12:16:31 PM
Only ever swam in a salt water pool once.  It was weird.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Gigem on May 06, 2026, 04:46:25 PM
They're only usually slightly salty, not super salty.  

Like around 3,000 ppm IIRC.  I had one, filled it in about 10 years ago or so.  It definitely felt much better on the skin, and eyes.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on May 07, 2026, 01:05:15 PM
$4.49 now, for no reason.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: bayareabadger on May 07, 2026, 01:49:19 PM
Time to start using less gas, I guess. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on May 07, 2026, 01:54:22 PM
We don't drive much.

Glad I took on 160 gallons at $3.99 for the boat last week.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on May 07, 2026, 03:59:37 PM
tweaked my back a few minutes ago

damn grumpy

golf league tonight
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: SFBadger96 on May 08, 2026, 10:37:38 AM
I feel your pain. Did something quite similar, hours before a golf lesson (first one ever!), a couple of weeks ago.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on May 08, 2026, 10:41:29 AM
I made it through 9 holes of league last night - plenty of pain - plenty of Budweiser for painkiller

it's not any better this morning

took a muscle relaxer, going to ice it, take a shower, ice it again and visit the chiropractor
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: bayareabadger on May 08, 2026, 10:50:38 AM
Dam knees are acting up after trying to get better range of motion on a squat exercise. Likely going to have to take a few days off of lower body exercises/running. 

Quite grumpy. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on May 08, 2026, 11:02:56 AM
I made it through 9 holes of league last night - plenty of pain - plenty of Budweiser for painkiller

it's not any better this morning

took a muscle relaxer, going to ice it, take a shower, ice it again and visit the chiropractor
Go to a real doctor and a real physical therapist.  Chiros tend to treat symptoms not root causes.  Their business model relies on ensuring you don't actually get better and keep coming back.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on May 08, 2026, 11:11:14 AM
been going to the bonecrushers since I was a teen.

they give me the relief I need

something about being born 8 weeks early and the lower part of my spline where it connects with my hips causes the problem

real docs just want to do surgery - that's a last resort for me
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on May 08, 2026, 11:17:20 AM
been going to the bonecrushers since I was a teen.

they give me the relief I need

something about being born 8 weeks early and the lower part of my spline where it connects with my hips causes the problem

real docs just want to do surgery - that's a last resort for me

Find a better doc and a good PT.  If you're regularly going to a chiro, then they're not actually helping you get better.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on May 08, 2026, 12:01:36 PM
there is no cure outside of surgery

my chiro tells me this

a good PT might help prevent some incidents

this happens about once a year if I'm careful
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MrNubbz on May 08, 2026, 12:19:59 PM
something about being born 8 weeks early and the lower part of my spline where it connects with my hips causes the problem

real docs just want to do surgery - that's a last resort for me
maybe 1X every year or two I get a pinched nerve - a bulging disc evidenty that delivers a shooting pain in the lower back. Found in the mid 90s by chance swimming works great as you're extended horizontally and bouyant the spine expands and anything out of place seems to slide right back in. Knock on wood it's been over 3 years since I was in the local Rec Pool - so both I and the community are happy about that
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on May 09, 2026, 10:38:03 AM
Chiros and PTs are very different lanes, good for different things.  Same thing again with MDs.  

The problem with chiros are 1) finding a good one, they're not all the same  2) finding one who knows what his trade is good for, and what it's not  3) patients who can't differentiate between things that are legitimately in the purview of a good chiropractor and things that a chiropractor cannot possibly help.  There are all kinds of crackpots out there who believe things like thinking chiropractic techniques can heal things like metabolic diseases and bullcrap like that.  

I've gone to a chiropractor for specific things for years when problems flare up (mainly, due to major nerve damage in my feet, I don't walk correctly and it causes my right hip to go out of place, but some C-spine issues as well).  My doctor and my wife both encourage the measured use of a good chiropractor for certain problems.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on May 09, 2026, 10:54:37 AM
Chiros and PTs are very different lanes, good for different things.  Same thing again with MDs. 

The problem with chiros are 1) finding a good one, they're not all the same  2) finding one who knows what his trade is good for, and what it's not  3) patients who can't differentiate between things that are legitimately in the purview of a good chiropractor and things that a chiropractor cannot possibly help.  There are all kinds of crackpots out there who believe things like thinking chiropractic techniques can heal things like metabolic diseases and bullcrap like that. 

I've gone to a chiropractor for specific things for years when problems flare up (mainly, due to major nerve damage in my feet, I don't walk correctly and it causes my right hip to go out of place, but some C-spine issues as well).  My doctor and my wife both encourage the measured use of a good chiropractor for certain problems. 
Do you have neuropathy? I do in my left due to that asshole neurosurgeon nicking my L4 branch when he was in there doing a laminectomy back in 2013. Still makes me grumpy. I should have sued the MF.

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on May 09, 2026, 11:21:18 AM
Do you have neuropathy? I do in my left due to that asshole neurosurgeon nicking my L4 branch when he was in there doing a laminectomy back in 2013. Still makes me grumpy. I should have sued the MF.

It is similar, but different.  Same medications that help neuropathy help me whereas traditional pain meds that get rx'd for non-neuropathic pain don't help me just as they wouldn't help someone dealing with neuropathy.  

Something going wrong in neurosurgery, especially spinal, is unfortunately more common than you might think.  There's a reason it's a last resort, and most good neurosurgeons won't even operate unless a patient is beyond a significant point.  Like right now I have an issue with my C-spine that causes my entire right arm to constantly burn and I've lost some degree of fine motor control in my right fingers.  I'm still way too functional and my pain level is not high enough that they will even sniff surgical intervention on me.  If it got worse, then I'd be a candidate.  I don't think lawsuits of that type are very easy to win.  The bar of evidence of wrongdoing is extremely high and there are a lot of protections in place for providers.  That's my understanding, at least.  I could be wrong.  Effing around with the spine is just a dicy business, although it's necessary in some cases, and in others, I don't blame patients rolling the dice.  I've seen a lot of patients, with severe problems and I didn't blame them.  

I had a series of foot/ankle surgeries around 10 years ago which helped my problems some.  There was a risk of the problem getting worse with those, and I did it anyway.  In fact, one of them did make things worse, and it was awful.  Fortunately a corrective surgery was able to help.  I know if the corrective surgery hadn't worked, I would've been miserable for the rest of my life and regretted doing the surgery every day.  It was mind-numbingly awful.....a living hell.  But prior to that, I didn't know the outcome, and I was already miserable, and when they told me the risks, I thought it was worth it, because I was already crippled and in pain.  Anything kind of surgery dealing with nerves is a risky, risky business.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on May 09, 2026, 11:31:42 AM
Agree. I anticipate have work done in the C sector in the future. I'll put it off as long as I can tolerate the tingles, numbness and sometimes shooting pain.

Getting older sucks but it's better than the alternative.

BTW - saw the FL neurosurgeon yesterday. He gave me a jar with all the hardware he removed from my lumbar a few weeks ago. Lots of titanium.

Made me happy.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on May 09, 2026, 01:43:46 PM
Speaking of grumpy + old man health issues...

Is there anything that helps with tinnitus? 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on May 09, 2026, 03:45:18 PM
Wife says tinnitus can be treated if it's related to hearing loss.  

If it's not related to hearing loss, we don't really have good treatment for it.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on May 09, 2026, 03:51:59 PM
Amazon Prime video just went from $3.24 for ad-free to $5.40, a $2.16 increase.  I know it's beans, but it's the principle.  They're rapidly losing the grounding for their claim that "Prime Video is free with a Prime subscription."  I don't expect charges for a free service to be comparable to another streaming service.  You can get basic Hulu plans for less than 9 bucks.  Amazon is not far away from that, so regardless of whether or not I can afford it, once it enters territory that other platforms charge, then just stop the silly nonsense that it's a perk of being a Prime member.  If you have ads, you're just Tubi or FreeVee.  If you have to pay to stop the ads, then stop saying your video library is "free" with Prime membership.  That's skating on a technicality, and anyway, we all know the costs of your video platform are absorbed in the cost of a Prime membership anyway.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: bayareabadger on May 09, 2026, 04:05:15 PM
Amazon Prime video just went from $3.24 for ad-free to $5.40, a $2.16 increase.  I know it's beans, but it's the principle.  They're rapidly losing the grounding for their claim that "Prime Video is free with a Prime subscription."  I don't expect charges for a free service to be comparable to another streaming service.  You can get basic Hulu plans for less than 9 bucks.  Amazon is not far away from that, so regardless of whether or not I can afford it, once it enters territory that other platforms charge, then just stop the silly nonsense that it's a perk of being a Prime member.  If you have ads, you're just Tubi or FreeVee.  If you have to pay to stop the ads, then stop saying your video library is "free" with Prime membership.  That's skating on a technicality, and anyway, we all know the costs of your video platform are absorbed in the cost of a Prime membership anyway. 
If it doesn't hurt moving paper towels, they don't care. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on May 09, 2026, 04:20:12 PM
Wife says tinnitus can be treated if it's related to hearing loss. 

If it's not related to hearing loss, we don't really have good treatment for it. 
Well, I've spent a couple decades abusing my hearing, so it's probably related to hearing loss.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on May 09, 2026, 05:02:30 PM
Mine went away. Not sure how or why. It just did.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MrNubbz on May 09, 2026, 06:38:50 PM
Do you have neuropathy? I do in my left due to that asshole neurosurgeon nicking my L4 branch when he was in there doing a laminectomy back in 2013. Still makes me grumpy. I should have sued the MF.

well if you lost you might have to slum around in Chevy,maybe one of those red plastic models though
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Riffraft on May 10, 2026, 08:43:54 AM
Mine went away. Not sure how or why. It just did.
I've just learned to.live with it. Most of the time I don't notice it.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on May 10, 2026, 09:12:42 AM
Chiros and PTs are very different lanes, good for different things.  Same thing again with MDs. 

The problem with chiros are 1) finding a good one, they're not all the same  2) finding one who knows what his trade is good for, and what it's not  3) patients who can't differentiate between things that are legitimately in the purview of a good chiropractor and things that a chiropractor cannot possibly help.  There are all kinds of crackpots out there who believe things like thinking chiropractic techniques can heal things like metabolic diseases and bullcrap like that. 

I've gone to a chiropractor for specific things for years when problems flare up (mainly, due to major nerve damage in my feet, I don't walk correctly and it causes my right hip to go out of place, but some C-spine issues as well).  My doctor and my wife both encourage the measured use of a good chiropractor for certain problems.

Chiropractors and Manual Physical Thearpists with a specialty in ortho really aren't all that different in function.  They are quite different in purpose and application and business model.

One major difference is that chiropractors have a much wealthier lobby and spend much more money entertaining MDs.

Feel free to ignore my advice.  I'll leave it at that.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on May 10, 2026, 09:38:50 AM
People here tend to poo-poo lobbyists and their influence.  Makes you wonder why industries spend so much money for them if they're so ineffective...
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on May 10, 2026, 10:03:24 AM
People here tend to poo-poo lobbyists and their influence.  Makes you wonder why industries spend so much money for them if they're so ineffective...
Nah. I think they're effective. But going into it would be delving into politics, so I won't say more on that. 

Mostly we just poke you for your strange obsession with the egg lobby. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on May 10, 2026, 10:31:13 AM
well if you lost you might have to slum around in Chevy,maybe one of those red plastic models though
WTF?
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on May 10, 2026, 10:46:32 AM
Nah. I think they're effective. But going into it would be delving into politics, so I won't say more on that.

Mostly we just poke you for your strange obsession with the egg lobby.

It's not about eggs, though.  It's about an invented limitation put on us by those in charge.  And a vast majority of us just go along with it.  Even those who are fine with school shootings in the name of 2nd amendment rights.

Hmm, I see what you mean about it delving into politics.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on May 10, 2026, 10:52:33 AM
It's not about eggs, though.  It's about an invented limitation put on us by those in charge.  And a vast majority of us just go along with it.  Even those who are fine with school shootings in the name of 2nd amendment rights.

Hmm, I see what you mean about it delving into politics. 
We know.

You can't help yourself.


(https://i.imgur.com/HHN1fs2.jpeg)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MrNubbz on May 10, 2026, 12:34:47 PM
Feel free to ignore my advice.  I'll leave it at that.
Go jump in the lake, really that's what I did and the swim did wonders
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on May 10, 2026, 01:59:34 PM
Aquatic therapy is awesome.  One of the many reasons I love having a pool.

Speaking of which, it's time to go jump in the pool.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on May 10, 2026, 02:16:57 PM
Aquatic therapy is awesome.  One of the many reasons I love having a pool.

Speaking of which, it's time to go jump in the pool.
Right behind ya.

Got a scorcher going on here lately.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on May 10, 2026, 02:20:49 PM
Right behind ya.

Got a scorcher going on here lately.
Weve had a crazily cool April and early May, with highs in the 60s and low 70s when low 80s are normal.  But now we're getting into the good hot stuff!
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MrNubbz on May 10, 2026, 03:14:49 PM
Aquatic therapy is awesome.  One of the many reasons I love having a pool.

Speaking of which, it's time to go jump in the pool.
Weather keeps up like this around here we may not see 70° anytime soon or 80° at all :o
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on May 10, 2026, 03:21:05 PM
Weather here today is perfect, as usual. 

Or as utee calls it, "too cold". 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: bayareabadger on May 10, 2026, 06:57:05 PM
Not too warm today, but sunny. Some People were are the building pool, but a bit less than I expected.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on May 10, 2026, 09:12:42 PM
perfect here on the golf course - 75 degrees and sunny
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Riffraft on May 11, 2026, 09:43:21 AM
perfect here on the golf course - 75 degrees and sunny
Managed to get out 3 times since we have been in Maine, but the weather has been far from perfect for golf.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on May 11, 2026, 09:58:28 AM
played 9 in league Thursday afternoon, 18 Saturday and 18 Sunday

a couple of the bev carts girls are back - one young lady is related to former Husker LB and Minnesooota Viking HOF center Mick Tingelhoff
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on May 11, 2026, 10:15:57 AM
Well, I've spent a couple decades abusing my hearing, so it's probably related to hearing loss.

Might see an audiologist to get tested.  Or you might have to see your primary first, depending on your insurance and/or how the audiologist operates.  I think (don't quote me on this) if someone has tinnitus due to hearing loss, the way it's treated is they get hearing aids.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: jgvol on May 11, 2026, 10:33:33 AM
We may hit the 90's for the first time late this week.  We've had some cooler than usual, less humid weather that has been nice, but the evenings and mornings are cooler than I like for this time of year.

Pool is open, but water temp is still at 70 degrees.

jg doesn't get in water under 80 degrees --- so Memorial Day weekend may be a dry one for me.  Dry as in no pool, not dry as in no beer.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on May 11, 2026, 10:49:17 AM
Our pool gets to 88-90 now, with no energy aside from the sun. Kinda crazy, but 88 feels really good when it's 93 and the dew point is 76 (like today).
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on May 11, 2026, 11:15:01 AM
We may hit the 90's for the first time late this week.  We've had some cooler than usual, less humid weather that has been nice, but the evenings and mornings are cooler than I like for this time of year.

Pool is open, but water temp is still at 70 degrees.

jg doesn't get in water under 80 degrees --- so Memorial Day weekend may be a dry one for me.  Dry as in no pool, not dry as in no beer.

I want it to stay cool.  Headed to the Smokeys in a couple of weeks, and I want to have a fire going in the evenings in the cabin we rented.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: jgvol on May 11, 2026, 11:18:03 AM
I want it to stay cool.  Headed to the Smokeys in a couple of weeks, and I want to have a fire going in the evenings in the cabin we rented. 

You should be A-Ok for that activity in the evenings.  Probably still in the 60's at night in the East.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on May 11, 2026, 11:50:18 AM
Might see an audiologist to get tested.  Or you might have to see your primary first, depending on your insurance and/or how the audiologist operates.  I think (don't quote me on this) if someone has tinnitus due to hearing loss, the way it's treated is they get hearing aids. 
Yeah, my insurance doesn't require it, but I'll probably wait until my annual and bring it up with my doctor anyway. 

Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on May 11, 2026, 11:57:42 AM
Back is really tight/sore. Saw the doctor on Friday and he said to give it another 2-4 weeks. I start PT tomorrow so that will be good. This is about 25% of the hardware (couldn't get it all - bones are too strong).

(https://i.imgur.com/WIRCfZI.png)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on May 11, 2026, 12:26:40 PM
Yikes.  Looks painful.....good luck with the PT!
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on May 11, 2026, 12:34:58 PM
Thanks!

Original fusion hardware was extensive. Like I said, he only got a bit of it out, but at least all the loose hardware is on my countertop. I highlighted it below.

(https://i.imgur.com/z72JonM.png)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: bayareabadger on May 11, 2026, 12:44:00 PM
Back is really tight/sore. Saw the doctor on Friday and he said to give it another 2-4 weeks. I start PT tomorrow so that will be good. This is about 25% of the hardware (couldn't get it all - bones are too strong).

(https://i.imgur.com/WIRCfZI.png)
Remind me, what did you do to the back?
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on May 11, 2026, 12:50:21 PM
Remind me, what did you do to the back?
I had a lumbar fusion in January 2015. Some of the hardware loosened up (it happens) and was causing me back pain.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: bayareabadger on May 11, 2026, 12:53:49 PM
I had a lumbar fusion in January 2015. Some of the hardware loosened up (it happens) and was causing me back pain.
Was there anything you did that led to needing the fusion? Or just back doing back things?
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on May 11, 2026, 01:11:24 PM
Playing ILB probably played a part, but it was mostly degenerative. My spine was cracked and moving around in the wrong ways. There was no choice.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: bayareabadger on May 11, 2026, 01:53:34 PM
Playing ILB probably played a part, but it was mostly degenerative. My spine was cracked and moving around in the wrong ways. There was no choice.
That seems like it would contribute!
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on May 11, 2026, 02:13:57 PM
Yeah. I played baseball too and raced BMX bikes (wipeouts...).
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on May 11, 2026, 02:37:39 PM
got another adjustment at the back cracker this morning - should be good to go
not grumpy
$45 each = $90 and I'm back to normal
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on May 11, 2026, 02:46:39 PM
This is more of an OAM comment, but...

I don't understand how anyone can look at the human back and the human knee, and all the inherent problems we have with each, and believe in "intelligent design". 

I feel like it's more evidence of evolutionary optimization that doesn't need to go beyond a certain point... "Ehh, it's something that evolved from something else and it sucks. But it's good enough to get them to the age of procreation and maybe into their 30s and 40s, at which point they'll get eaten by a bear or something."
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on May 12, 2026, 11:03:46 AM
For the first time, we decided to bring our own coffee pods bc hotels usually don't have enough in the room, and what they have usually isn't very good.

And this hotel doesn't have a Keurig :96:
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: utee94 on May 12, 2026, 11:10:35 AM
Understandably grumpy.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: SFBadger96 on May 12, 2026, 11:53:39 AM
For the first time, we decided to bring our own coffee pods bc hotels usually don't have enough in the room, and what they have usually isn't very good.

And this hotel doesn't have a Keurig :96:
SFIrish routinely brings Starbucks Via (instant packets) to add to whatever hotel coffee might be available, to make it tolerable. It's not that the Starbucks instant is good, but it's tolerable, which is important for one's morning coffee.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on May 12, 2026, 11:56:54 AM
We like our Bunn. Pot of coffee is <$1.00.

Y'all can enjoy your modern foo foo cups/waste of money.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: SFBadger96 on May 12, 2026, 11:58:15 AM
You carrying that with you to the hotel? Seems a bit much. :-)
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on May 12, 2026, 12:00:46 PM
We simply go down to the lobby for coffee. Very easy, and free.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on May 12, 2026, 01:01:50 PM
Wife and stepson are so food-snobby that they buy their fancy-schmancy beans and grind 'em themselves.  Then they put use the grounds in a reusable, cleanable metal pod.  Wife nixed the store-bought plastic pods due to micro-plastics, or some kind of problem she perceives with plastics leaking into food supply.  

She's really changed a lot the last few years in an effort to get away from "plastic contamination," or whatever she's on about.  

My dad is so persnickety (grumpy) about his coffee that he got his own roaster and started buying various imported beans from all over the globe and doing the entire process himself.  He says it's for variety and so he can make the cup of coffee he wants.  I think it's just a retirement hobby as much as anything else.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on May 12, 2026, 01:21:18 PM
I drink coffee maybe once a week - if that. 

Decaf or half-caf.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: SFBadger96 on May 12, 2026, 02:58:37 PM
I mostly drink half calf that I make myself, but I'm a bit of a snob about how coffee should taste. Too much watery coffee is served out there in the world. Most restaurants will charge $3.50 or more for a cup of objectively bad coffee (ok, it's subjectively bad, but I find it appalling, regardless). I stopped ordering after dinner coffee a long time ago.

Diners tend to be better about this, although diner coffee, itself, is generally a particular flavor of coffee, which generally doesn't taste very strong. That's ok, as long as I know what I'm getting.

Coffee shops generally do a good job, but overcharge for a cup of drip coffee (they all overcharge--we're paying for the labor and the rent, not the coffee; I'm ok with it, as long as the coffee is worth drinking).
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on May 12, 2026, 03:09:02 PM
I mostly drink half calf that I make myself, but I'm a bit of a snob about how coffee should taste. Too much watery coffee is served out there in the world. Most restaurants will charge $3.50 or more for a cup of objectively bad coffee (ok, it's subjectively bad, but I find it appalling, regardless). I stopped ordering after dinner coffee a long time ago.

Diners tend to be better about this, although diner coffee, itself, is generally a particular flavor of coffee, which generally doesn't taste very strong. That's ok, as long as I know what I'm getting.

Coffee shops generally do a good job, but overcharge for a cup of drip coffee (they all overcharge--we're paying for the labor and the rent, not the coffee; I'm ok with it, as long as the coffee is worth drinking).


You'd fit in my family well.  Though I never learned to love regular coffee, my wife shares your sentiments about weak coffee.  In our circle hers in considered pretty strong.  She claims everybody in my dad's family makes strong coffee to the point where she just does enjoy it.   
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on May 12, 2026, 03:14:29 PM
Hilton properties serve good coffee.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: jgvol on May 12, 2026, 03:47:53 PM
Keurig cups = watery coffee.

Never understood the appeal, but it'll do in a pinch.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on May 12, 2026, 05:43:00 PM
For the first time, we decided to bring our own coffee pods bc hotels usually don't have enough in the room, and what they have usually isn't very good.

And this hotel doesn't have a Keurig :96:
IHG has Keurig and the reg coffee is good enuff for em
I ALWAYS ask for a couple extras at the front desk and take them home with me

makes it less expensive
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on May 12, 2026, 05:45:36 PM
We simply go down to the lobby for coffee. Very easy, and free.
I drink my 2 cups long before I'm ready to leave the room

then I'm done for the day
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MrNubbz on May 12, 2026, 07:55:34 PM
I drink coffee maybe once a week - if that.

Decaf or half-caf.
3 cups every morning before I'm out the door or with my travel mug. Medium roast,medium strength - strait up. 'Cept the Holidays Eggnog makes a good creamer/sweetner combo
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on May 12, 2026, 07:57:37 PM
Weak strength in most opinions 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Honestbuckeye on May 12, 2026, 08:08:00 PM
I drink my 2 cups long before I'm ready to leave the room

then I'm done for the day
Same.  Home as well.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on May 12, 2026, 09:59:00 PM
yup
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on May 13, 2026, 08:25:35 AM
Drinking coffee on an empty stomach can be harmful to some people.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on May 13, 2026, 09:01:18 AM
not I, just finished my two cups 40 minutes ago
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MrNubbz on May 13, 2026, 09:02:54 AM
Just finished my 3rd before typing this,shower & out the door
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on May 13, 2026, 09:04:28 AM
Just made myself some oatmeal. I always wait at least two hours before putting anything in my body, aside from water.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on May 13, 2026, 09:15:34 AM
many times I wait 12 hours
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on May 13, 2026, 09:21:28 AM
Just finished my 3rd before typing this,shower & out the door

I've known many two-cuppers.  You're the only three-cupper I can think of.  You might have a problem.  

I picture a guy wearing what may be a scarlet "O" on his t-shirt, but it's hard to tell because he's shaking so bad.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on May 13, 2026, 09:22:18 AM
and he spilt coffee on his t-shirt!
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on May 13, 2026, 09:23:22 AM
many times I wait 12 hours
Well over 12 hours for me, since I don't eat anything after 4PM.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Riffraft on May 13, 2026, 09:31:19 AM
I drink coffee maybe once a week - if that.

Decaf or half-caf.
only time I drink coffee is on a cruise ship with bailey's in it.  Otherwise morning drink is Diet Mt. Dew
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on May 13, 2026, 09:36:07 AM
I limit any caffeine to the occasional piece of dark chocolate I might have.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: jgvol on May 13, 2026, 09:48:26 AM
I've known many two-cuppers.  You're the only three-cupper I can think of.  You might have a problem. 

I picture a guy wearing what may be a scarlet "O" on his t-shirt, but it's hard to tell because he's shaking so bad. 

36 ounces per day for me.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on May 13, 2026, 09:52:59 AM
I limit any caffeine to the occasional piece of dark chocolate I might have.

I drink earl gray tea every morning.  Supposedly has about half the caffeine of a typical cup of coffee.  It hasn't been enough to make me miss it if I don't have it, like the coffee drinkers.  If I don't get it, I don't feel it at all.   
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on May 13, 2026, 11:09:15 AM

I've known many two-cuppers.  You're the only three-cupper I can think of.  You might have a problem. 
I've dropped from two cups to one, most days.

However, each cup was about 20 oz, so that math has to be taken into account....

Drinking coffee on an empty stomach can be harmful to some people.

Glad I'm not one of those.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: 847badgerfan on May 13, 2026, 11:10:30 AM
Glad I'm not one of those.

I've had a couple of ulcers. I'm one of those.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on May 13, 2026, 12:46:14 PM
Well over 12 hours for me, since I don't eat anything after 4PM.
I try not to eat anything after 7
eat at 6pm then wait until 6pm
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Honestbuckeye on May 13, 2026, 05:11:15 PM
Well over 12 hours for me, since I don't eat anything after 4PM.
I give you credit.   That is not easy to do- at least not for me.  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: FearlessF on May 13, 2026, 05:25:07 PM
easier for me than an exercise routine
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MrNubbz on May 13, 2026, 05:38:17 PM
Exercizing the elbow count?
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: Honestbuckeye on May 13, 2026, 05:42:48 PM
Exercizing the elbow count?
😂🍺
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MrNubbz on May 13, 2026, 05:44:02 PM
I've known many two-cuppers.  You're the only three-cupper I can think of.  You might have a problem. 

I picture a guy wearing what may be a scarlet "O" on his t-shirt, but it's hard to tell because he's shaking so bad. 
Make it a little weaker,you're nuts if you follow instructions  from Companies. At least 1 maybe 2 tablespoon(s) to 1- 6 oz cup I use 1 heaping t-spoon to 1- 8 oz cup
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MrNubbz on May 13, 2026, 05:45:44 PM
and he spilt coffee on his t-shirt!
happens it's not Beer
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MrNubbz on May 13, 2026, 05:50:27 PM
only time I drink coffee is on a cruise ship with bailey's in it.  Otherwise morning drink is Diet Mt. Dew
I suppose the next trip is to Chernoble - that Bilge is turrible ;D
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on May 14, 2026, 11:09:27 AM
Got back from my mom's funeral. 

It was the first time I've been in the same room at the same time with *all* of my siblings since 2012, when our grandmother died.

Have you ever had that sort of relationship where no matter how long you've been apart from people, it's like you pick up exactly where you left off like no time has passed?

Yeah... My siblings and I are kinda like that. 

The dysfunction didn't miss a beat. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on May 14, 2026, 11:28:10 AM
I heard a comedian one time say something like "Christmas is that special time of year when the whole family gathers together, to remember why they only get together once a year."  
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: bayareabadger on May 14, 2026, 12:10:36 PM
Got back from my mom's funeral.

It was the first time I've been in the same room at the same time with *all* of my siblings since 2012, when our grandmother died.

Have you ever had that sort of relationship where no matter how long you've been apart from people, it's like you pick up exactly where you left off like no time has passed?

Yeah... My siblings and I are kinda like that.

The dysfunction didn't miss a beat.

First, condolences.

second, I feel like it’s often that way with family. You have trouble not seeing them as whoever they were a long time ago.

I feel like sometimes you have that moment with friends. Where you see someone for the first time in a year or two and their life hasn’t changed in your mind, but clearly it has in real life.
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MikeDeTiger on May 14, 2026, 02:08:02 PM
I don't have many close friends, but the ones I do, I'm fortunate that they're all people whom I can go for literally years without seeing, and we always pick up right where we left off.  Nothing awkward, nothing uncomfortable, just like putting on a broke-in favorite pair of tennis shoes.  It's not that their life hasn't changed, and in my case it changed quite drastically sometimes.  But the stuff that counts the most--the people we are inside, our interests, memories of our favorite times together--doesn't change.  

But that probably goes in the happy thread. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on May 14, 2026, 03:28:57 PM
I don't have many close friends, but the ones I do, I'm fortunate that they're all people whom I can go for literally years without seeing, and we always pick up right where we left off.  Nothing awkward, nothing uncomfortable, just like putting on a broke-in favorite pair of tennis shoes.  It's not that their life hasn't changed, and in my case it changed quite drastically sometimes.  But the stuff that counts the most--the people we are inside, our interests, memories of our favorite times together--doesn't change. 

But that probably goes in the happy thread.
Yep. I have friends like that. Hell, I should probably say hello to them soon. The two that come first to mind happen to live about 2000 and about 3000 miles from me... But they're the type that time apart doesn't loosen bonds. 

Not so much with my family. 
Title: Re: OT - Grumpy Old Man Thread
Post by: MrNubbz on May 14, 2026, 04:00:08 PM
You you can pick your friends but not your family.We're all on pretty good terms except it took 20 some years for my dipshit brother to dump that bitch of misery ex of His. Once their kids got out of school they realized she gave credibility to the rumor Eva Braun made it out