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#1
1st September 2011, 10:02 AM
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Back to School minirants, September edition
Everybody's back in school, cluttering the freeways from 7:30-8:15 every morning.
I never got to the beach this summer, not even for my birthday. I hate adulthood. 
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#2
1st September 2011, 10:03 AM
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This mean I have to slow down when passing through school zones.
Another reason I look forward to June.
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#3
1st September 2011, 10:05 AM
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Not only is school back in session - meaning no more leisurely trips to the P.O. in the afternoon, must rush over there and back before the elementary school lets out - but there are TWO road construction projects to drive through, and the P.O. itself has torn up their parking lot and are re-pouring. Which is not so bad except for OTHER FUCKING CLUELESS DRIVERS. Gah!!!!
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#4
1st September 2011, 10:18 AM
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I'm slightly bored.
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#5
1st September 2011, 10:25 AM
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My history professor searched far and wide for a good quality but cheap textbook for my US History class and found one--a paperback, even, that costs about $13. He went to the trouble of making a deal with the publisher for it himself, and even got the ISBN for the book and walked it right down to the bookstore himself. All they had to do was place the order for X number of books, according to how many students eventually enrolled. He pretty much did most of their job for them. HOWEVER! Instead of just taking the ISBN number and ordering the books like he told them, the bookstore went out of their way to look up and order a previous version in hardback just so that they could charge us $64 for it instead of $13. Now, I've been boycotting the bookstore because of their shitty service last semester, when they didn't get one of my books in until a month after the semester started and the other book they never did get in--the teacher just taught us what he knew without one. I thought they just sucked before, but the history book incident tells me that not only are they worthless, they're also crooked. I am NEVER buying another book from them, ever. Oh, and that hardback one they ordered? On Amazon it costs $25, and they're charging over twice as much for it. Luckily I had ordered mine (the correct , paperback version) from Amazon in the first place, and paid eleven dollars. SUCK ON THAT, BOOKSTORE.
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#6
1st September 2011, 10:50 AM
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Having worked for a college bookstore before (an independent one, that carried books for a couple different schools) I can say that textbook publishers are evil. Absolutely evil. I can't speak for your particular bookstore, but I know that when professors tried to find affordable books the publishers did their best to make sure they couldn't. Like if a prof refused to get the newest edition of a text (because all they did was change the cover and add some pictures) it would be backordered indefinitely, forcing them to get the newest edition.
Now we, as an independent store, were happy to buy books on Amazon, etc. so we could get the older editions and they weren't too ridiculously marked up (I did the pricing). The problem with college bookstores is that they're often owned by Barnes and Noble or similarly large companies who effectively have a monopoly on the market. They can charge whatever the hell they want, because lazy kids whose parents or scholarship is footing the bill don't want to go to the extra trouble. But yeah, I'm glad that my classes no longer require 'textbooks' as such- all our texts are regular ol' books you can find anywhere. Usually paperbacks, too, so they're pretty cheap. Of course, it still adds up since most classes require 6 books or more. Rant.... rant.... oh yeah. I'm bored too, and I'm sick of being broke.
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#7
1st September 2011, 11:10 AM
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I nearly always bought old editions on Amazon, and in more than one case just used an entirely different book on the same topic (seriously, the basics of fluid dynamics are the same no matter who is explaining it to you). When assignments were straight out of the new edition, I made use of my handy-dandy photocopy card and the library. Saved a ton of money.
I bought one book for $1.50; shipping was about $6. It was 6 editions old. I got the top mark in the course anyways. As for a non-school related rant: I'm having sneezing fits today. Can't. Stop. Sneezing. A-chooo!
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#9
1st September 2011, 11:43 AM
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I'm looking for an Android Smartphone that works with AT&T. Found one on Craigslist for $40. Great, sez I, and checked out the ad. Damn, "I don't answer the phone, please text me". Okay, whatever, so I suck it up and text him (I pay for every text in or out). Get a text back from him saying "It's still available". I text him back asking if we can work out the details via a call or email, since I have to pay for every text. I also include that I could meet him after work that day, and give a time.
He sends back (note, text, not calls) that he's leaving at 3. I text back again, saying "okay, where are you, maybe I can work something out for before 3." SUDDENLY less than 15 minutes after "It's still available" he has another buyer and that buyer is offering $70 for it. If I want it, I have to offer more than $70. Well, no, that's not going to happen. If I wanted to pay more than $70 for it, I could've already bought 2 or 3 of them. So I figure it's a scam. He likely doesn't have a buyer, and is trying to get me to pay more for it. No, that's not going to happen. If he contacts me about it later, saying the deal fell thru so the phone is still available, he's getting a reply from me that I'm now only willing to pay $20 for it. Seriously? You're willing to sell it for $40 and suddenly 15 minutes later you've got a buyer who's paying $70? Really?
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#10
1st September 2011, 12:06 PM
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Quote:
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#11
1st September 2011, 04:53 PM
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Sometimes having 2 kids and a husband is like having 3 kids. And not in the fun way.
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#12
1st September 2011, 05:01 PM
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I got myself a totally boss scar across the back of pinkie finger today, when I seared it on the rim of a super hot frying pan. It immediately turned white and shiny and looks like I was in a bad ass knife fight, 'cos it made a little rut.
Cool as it looks, it was an accident and it hurts pretty bad. Ow. I said some horrible things to that frying pan. 
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#13
1st September 2011, 05:10 PM
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Ah, the life of a pirate chick. Whatcha gonna do?
 Make up a really good story about it though. My grandson had surgery at 2 weeks old. Has about an inch and a half scar up high on his tummy. His dad tells people who ask that it is a fencing injury. I tell them, "That's from running with scissors!"
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#15
1st September 2011, 09:17 PM
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Rant: School's in session.
Wait, that's not a rant, that's awesome!
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#16
1st September 2011, 11:15 PM
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Today at work featured two reporters who plagiarized (one of them as part of a tryout with us), a copy editor who edited a flaming math mistake into an article (4.4*2.1=9.2, not "approximately 8"), a factual vacancy three levels deep and the general inability of anyone writing articles to do basic things like use quotation marks correctly.
I am really looking forward to my interview today with an unrelated company. I would deal with substantially less amateur-quality writing and get paid substantially more for the pleasure. Last edited by iampunha; 1st September 2011 at 11:16 PM. Reason: rephrasing
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#18
2nd September 2011, 04:13 AM
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We need a photo thread on our scars.
I just forgot my minirant. Damn you all for making interesting posts to distract me with. 
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#19
2nd September 2011, 04:39 AM
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A scar thread would be cool, I have lots.
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#20
2nd September 2011, 05:49 AM
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I have a few small ones on my hands. An internet buddy wants to photograph my sin at some point so I'll ask her to get my scars too.
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#21
2nd September 2011, 05:58 AM
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Er...skin. She wants to photograph my SKIN at dome point.
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#22
2nd September 2011, 05:59 AM
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I was wondering.
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#24
2nd September 2011, 09:31 AM
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::headdesk::
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#25
2nd September 2011, 09:35 AM
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Hey now. I thought when I heard non-native Floridians freak out about the 4-inch flying cockroaches we have down there (Palmetto bugs)*, that implied that roaches don't typically fly elsewhere in the country. I mean, if you're just freaking out about the size why specify that they're capable of flight?
Imagine my surprise when I saw my first NY cockroach and approached it, shoe in hand to flatten it, and it flew right at me. I freaked out thinking it had landed on my leg so I started spastically shaking my leg, kicking the bed in the process, and finally ripped off my pants and fled. So, an enthusiastic Bronx salute to 1) all the people that lulled me into a false sense of security, 2) the roach in question, for attacking me instead of retreating when I attempted to engage him in single combat, and 3) my best friend (who has some entomology background) for smugly saying, "You do know that there's only a couple of species of Blattaria that are completely incapable of flight when mature?" Yeah. Whatever. I hate you. *I just wiki'ed to see the spelling of blattaria, and it seems that those giant black flying things aren't palmetto bugs, but I haven't been able to find another species that fits the specs. Either way, they're really big gross bugs.
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#27
2nd September 2011, 10:04 AM
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I just drank a litre of chocolate milk. I think I might end up regretting it. But it was so yummy!
I need to pack for a camping trip - we are leaving tonight - but I'm lazy and don't wanna.
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#28
2nd September 2011, 11:25 AM
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It seems like my kids had five minutes to get used to all the new routines at school, learn how to behave perfectly and have me sign eight million papers. Thank goodness we haven't missed a recess yet for not being perfect.
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#30
2nd September 2011, 11:52 AM
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Fucking computer speakers. We just replaced them because we thought the fact that the previous set was purchased for $10 was the reason they went all staticy and shit but these new ones that are supposed to be shielded have suddenly started doing the same crappy static the old ones did. I'm actually thinking it's the sound card. It's intermittent and unaffected by moving the speakers or wires around. It's just really, really pissing me off because I want my music, dammit!
Also, I'm annoyed at the company I'm applying to jobs at because in the section where they ask what our proficiency is in French and English, the English-language form has the option of "Advanced - can hold a complexe conversation and can write without help". Fucking HR/IT drones should probably be "advanced" and use a spellcheck when they make these forms! And my cell phone has apparently decided that I'm more likely to type the word "St" or "st" than I am to write "at" and I can't seem to untrain it.
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#32
2nd September 2011, 12:30 PM
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My external hard drive appears to have died. It's no big loss, I don't think I've turned it on in at least a year and all that's on it is some old school stuff and a bunch of music I don't listen to. Still, I wanted to move some stuff onto it and back up my computer hard drive, but I guess that won't be happening.
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#34
2nd September 2011, 02:48 PM
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Today my boss found out that someone has been posting my copyrighted work on Facebook. The print version of my product isn't out yet -- I was reviewing the galley when my boss told me about it -- which means it was one of our website subscribers. News flash: identifying my company as the source of the material doesn't change the fact that you're infringing on our copyright. Why would someone pay for a subscription when they can get the same info for free on your Facebook page?
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#35
3rd September 2011, 07:09 AM
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I am such an idiot.
I have an interview today. I woke up 2 hours before I'd have to leave to give myself ample time to get ready. Well, I took a little longer than I'd planned so I rushed out the door with no time to spare. I would have been able to make it on time, but just barely. I walked up to the station and started digging for my Metro card when I realized I'd forgotten to transfer my wallet to my new purse. Luckily, I had the restaurant's number so I was able to call immediately and apologize, and push the interview back a little. Still doesn't look good, and I'm an ass. Also, allow me to rant about the MTA a minute. Stupid service changes. Now in order to get where I need to go I either have to take 3 trains (2 downtown, 1 uptown) or take 2 trains, 1 to midtown way past where I need to go, and another uptown.
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#36
5th September 2011, 08:21 AM
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Back from camping. We - and everything we brought - are very wet thanks to the severe thunderstorms of yesterday morning and the heavy rainfall that started last night. At least Friday and Saturday were nice! We had a good time despite the thorough soaking, but it would have been so much better if we didn't have to huddle under a gazebo most of the weekend! We had to pack up in the rain, so I'm going to have to unpack, wipe down and dry everything before putting it away...once the rain stops....likely tomorrow. Urgh.
On the plus side, my sister's dog is a Very Good Dog on camping trips. He's only 10 months old but he's so well behaved we were able to leave him off-leash and he just stayed around the table and tents. We only put him on leash to go to the bathroom/shower block because we didn't want to get in trouble since he was supposed to be tied up the whole time. He wasn't too sure about sleeping in the tent, but eventually settled down and slept hard since we'd tired him out!
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#38
5th September 2011, 09:55 AM
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#40
5th September 2011, 09:58 AM
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I am severely bored. 4.5 hours between trains. I would have gone home and caught up on things if the manager on duty wasn't such an asshole. The only minor plus is that I am currently not objecting to any of my colleagues and they don't appear to hate me so we've had some nice chats. But still.
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#41
5th September 2011, 10:12 AM
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I'll just slink over here to whine about how I'm bored, and terribly intimidated by my classmates (Get outta here with your University of Cardiff!), and dangerously broke, and my most meaningful face-to-face interactions have been with the guy in the deli around the corner. Oh, and I have horrific blisters and my back is killing me. Blah.
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#42
5th September 2011, 10:20 AM
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{{{Supes and Mle}}}
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#43
5th September 2011, 10:23 AM
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Sorry about Supe's relative, mle. Did they catch it early?
I am just back from Kohl's--looking for a winter coat for #1 son. Woman tells me that they haven't received winter coats yet. I don't get this: my entire life I shopped for coats whilst in shorts and for bathing suits while wearing a parka. NOW the stores finally get truly seasonal? How come nobody told me? So, that's another thing that is not off the list.Second thing is that I thought I had figured out how to save scanned documents as PDFs on my MacBook. Turns out I haven't. I have no idea how to do this. Am glaring at my laptop right now. Stupid computer--tell me how to do it! Roses: do NOT be intimidated by those grad school wanks. I felt the same in my first few days in grad school, too. IME, the more people talk up their life experience and credentials, the weaker they are. We were supposed to write up a short bit "all about myself" for our online class (which was 90% of the classes). 1/3 of the class submitted CVs(!). These were also the people who were NO fun to work with on group projects. Hope you have better luck.
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#44
5th September 2011, 10:30 AM
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#45
5th September 2011, 12:43 PM
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She's an amazing lady and doesn't deserve to go through all this again.
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#46
5th September 2011, 01:03 PM
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If she had no other symptoms, it sounds like they might have caught it early--which is good. OC often mimics other diseases and is not thought of until it's in an advanced stage. Let's hope it's early.
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#47
5th September 2011, 01:13 PM
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Mrs. Harry's ovarian cancer was found during a fairly routine hysterectomy, while it was still Stage 1. That was 20 years ago. Her newest health crisis is the result of her latest hospital procedures, when she had the stent put into her pancreatic duct, and a ruptured spleen removed.
A week ago today, while she was in the rehab facility, she had a small but very definite seizure. On Friday, about an hour before a care conference to see if she could go home, she had three more seizures, each longer and more severe than the one preceding. They sent her to the ER, and about 10 minutes later she coded. Tests discovered the rehab place had been giving her a diuretic and not checking her potassium levels. They were 2.1, instead of the 3.5 to 5 they're supposed to be, so she's spent the weekend in the hospital. We're waiting now for someone to decide she can come home, which she left on July 27th for a routine doctor's visit. Fucking so-called medical professionals... 
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#50
6th September 2011, 01:57 AM
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Oh Harry, that must have been so scary. I'm glad it's something they could work out easily and deal with but it can't give you a lot of confidence. I hope she gets home soon. It sounds as though you both need some to sit and get your heads together without having medical staff all around. This is not a jazzhands, it's a hug---> :jazz:
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| Giraffiti |
| Carry your books?, Harry got Buffed, hunskie?, it's finally October!, it's STILL too august out, it's too September out!, will I see you?, you can't see me!, ]I see right through you! |
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