What made you smile today?

[Animeniax]

I jumped the shark at work today. I only have 2 weeks left on a 4 month contract and decided to let it all hang out. We're discussing ways to improve quality in our work (it's mostly data entry) and when they asked me for my input on how to improve quality, I responded, "be Asian." As I am one of the very very few Asians in this office, the others didn't take my comments too well and laughed it off like I was crazy. But it stands that I have one of the highest quality and quantity scores in the office out of 300-400 employees, and I'm Asian. Coincidence? I don't think so.

[enkoujin]

Good to hear that you're doing well at your workplace.

Generally, I've always had a feeling that Caucasians never ever take racism too casually in the workplace/school because of the fear of appearing too racially oppressive and long histories of ancestral white guilt.

[Buffalobiian]

Generally, I've always had a feeling that Caucasians never ever take racism too casually in the workplace/school because of the fear of appearing too racially oppressive and long histories of ancestral white guilt.

I know someone who is really misinformed about a lot of racial things and just gets things wrong in general (sometimes hilariously so..). It's just amazing how little people know about things in general (things as in social/general world knowledge - not pop culture). Mistaking continents for countries is one such error - but now that I think about it, I don't think I ever learned it in school. Maybe it points more to a failing of our education system than to the kids.

[shinta|hikari]

I think it is partly the fault of the internet. It does provide access to useful information, but also useless crap, which people (especially kids) enjoy a lot more.

I can only imagine what things I could have achieved had I not watched all that anime and read all that manga, which I managed to get for free because of the internet.

[Animeniax]

Good to hear that you're doing well at your workplace.

Generally, I've always had a feeling that Caucasians never ever take racism too casually in the workplace/school because of the fear of appearing too racially oppressive and long histories of ancestral white guilt.

Not sure if you're being sarcastic or just your usual self. Considering I was terminated from my previous job and couldn't find work for 6 months before taking this contract job, you (and I) would think I'd learn not to joke about certain things like race, sexual harassment, etc that are generally prohibited in the workplace. But sometimes I just don't give a shit and see where it takes me. I think a large part of my current attitude is because I just got a new permanent job, so I don't really care about how I leave this current contract job. My problem is that I live in the moment (and for the future) so I forget the past too easily. If I remembered how bad it sucked to not be able to find work (like this past summer and fall) then I'd be more careful how I behaved at work.


I can only imagine what things I could have achieved had I not watched all that anime and read all that manga, which I managed to get for free because of the internet.You'd probably just have ended up like that guy who quit the internet for a year... you'd have found some other way to waste time.


Mistaking continents for countries is one such error - but now that I think about it, I don't think I ever learned it in school. Maybe it points more to a failing of our education system than to the kids.
You never had a geography class in school? I did in elementary school and then it was rehashed in different subjects in middle and high school.

[Buffalobiian]

You never had a geography class in school? I did in elementary school and then it was rehashed in different subjects in middle and high school.

I had "social studies" in Grade 5, which covered a fair bit of Australian history and geography (along with where bauxite was mined, amongst other things). It goes down as one of my favourite classes ever. We also might have had geography of some sort of Grade 8, but I can't remember anything useful from that year. I chose to do history in grades 9 and 10, so I missed out on any geography that would have been running at the same time.

So, no. All in all, I never encountered a World Geography class during school. I learned it by going to the library every now and again and read a different World Encyclopaedia every time. It's still all pretty elusive to me, so I have no idea how the less learned would deal with it.

[Ryllharu]

Mistaking continents for countries is one such error - but now that I think about it, I don't think I ever learned it in school. Maybe it points more to a failing of our education system than to the kids.
Sounds like a cultural problem with the only country that is also a continent.

edit:
They don't have a need for geography due to the widespread belief that they'll be the only (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On_the_Beach_(novel)) country to survive global nuclear war (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On_the_Beach_(1959_film))...at least for a little while.

[Assertn]

Have been taking a break from stock chasing for a while, since the market was too chaotic the past few years, but I started getting back into it earlier in the year. Bought into XONE and SSYS a few days ago, and are now up 17% and 13%, respectively. Now for the bitching part: The bulk of my SEP contribution has been put on hold the past few days, preventing me from being able to buy ONVO, which would've netted me an extra $750 by now. Oh well...

Apparently 3D printing stocks also print money in the market these days~~

[Kraco]

So, I bought a protective visor with earmuffs included today from a discount store. It's otherwise cool and seems solid, but for some unexplainable reason the 1mm polycarbonate shielding your eyes and face has been blurred (kind of like it was sanded). This thing is meant to allow you to work on something safely keeping your eyes open - but you can't see through it. And no, it isn't simply dimmed like sunglasses or a welding mask, it just makes everything blurry beyond hope.

This is so bizarre that I decided to post it in this thread instead of the bitching one.

I guess I'll replace the polycarbonate with a clear one since I happen to have a piece I can cut to the right size.

[Archangel]

I saw this Freddie Mercury looking dude walking up the street today and as soon as i made the connection Queen started playing.

[Animeniax]

Saw the Energy RC-Micro 5.1 speaker set on Amazon's Gold Box deals for $300 yesterday. I checked later that day and it had dropped to $250 so I ordered a set. Today they're back up to $350.

[Xelbair]

I've been sailing for the first time in my life yesterday and today - my parents bought this boat few weeks ago(well it is a small yacht - 6,6m long)

1526
1527
1528
1529

crappy photos are crappy because i couldn't see what i was photographing most of the time due to sun + they were made by cellphone.

[Buffalobiian]

I'm mildly surprised to see green trees, blue waters and a clear-ish sky. :eek:

I always had this impression that Poland had lots of Gothic buildings that are enshrouded by blizzards, rain or cloudy skies.

[Xelbair]

not really, it dosen't rain that much. blizzards are rare - and with clouds its like everywhere else - it varies.
gothic buildings? seriously? :D nearly none - old city of Gdańsk looks cool but it is not gothic(except few churches)
you can obviously find tons of PRL era buildings(made while under occupation of USSR/CCCP/ZSRR whatever you call it)

few examples of such buidlings
PGR - stands for Państwowe Gospodarstwo Rolne(State Agricultural Farm)
1530
1532

those are a relict of old times, used by the poor people.

In cities you can sometimes find such marvel of communist civil engineering:
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those were very cheaply done, and they were erected really, really fast - but they look ugly, and have tons of problems with installations in it.

cities in Poland aren't that 'high', but they spread far and wide and are full of greenery(now there are 2 more high buildings in this area)
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That big grey godawful buildings were renovated
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Old city of Gdansk
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i can't find a good photo that shows the greenery in cities -but go check google street view and follow main roads(Grunwaldzka, Legionów/Rzeczypospolitej for example) in Gdańsk.

Polish countryside is full of lush forests - check Bory Tucholskie - national park close to Gdańsk.

Generally northern poland is full of hills and forests, while central poland is nearly flat with fields and forests... and southern Poland gets higher and higher up to the mountains that make the border between Poland and Czech and Slovakia

[Assertn]

Locked in some crazy gains on a new stock I've been following.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=s3CiJ26YS_U
Shot up from $4/share to $7/share recently, though I expect it to drop down for a while until they eventually explode into something huge. Just think... need a new kidney? Why not print one?

[Sapphire]

Awwwwweeee yeah!!!!

I'm in hall h 5th row in comic-con, basically the craziest room to get into. People were waiting since 4 PM yesterday to get in. Getting to the end of the line was a 20 minute walk. Going to see panels w the cast of Supernatural, Breaking Bad, Doctor Who, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Community, and Sons of Anarchy.

[enkoujin]

Woohoo!

I was awarded an oil and gas scholarship that'll pay for this year's tuition and textbooks.

But now I feel like a total sellout to the environment. :(

[Animeniax]

Take them down from the inside by going to work and doing a real half-assed job.

But congrats. Plus maybe you can develop a process to more cleanly extract the precious precious fuel from the earth, making a positive contribution to the world and saving your soul at the same time.

[Ryllharu]

I currently drive an economy box. It is an inline-4 with under 110 hp. It's top speed is below 100 mph, downhill.

It has two redeeming features:
- A stickshift which I know how to use quite effectively.
- I'm also told the headlights match the cop cars around here in terms of distance apart and general shape.

Today on my way home, I'm following a Porche targa on the back roads leading up to the highway. He's going 45 mph (72 kph) now, when previously I had been following him going 60 mph (96 kph). So in a legal passing zone...I do so, because I like to go 60 mph on this particular road. Older man and his wife. Unsurprisingly, I hurt his pride. We both get on the highway, and I gun my car as best it can (which isn't very). He zips past me immediately after the offramp, probably going 85 mph (136 kph).

I pass him a few miles later when he gets stuck behind another car. I give him a thumbs up as I pass.

[Animeniax]

I think that kind of pride is foolish... "Oh I drive a sports car, I have to drive it hard and fast because that's what people expect." A better form of pride which I subscribe to when driving is to know you have the ability but refrain from demonstrating it all the time.

In your situation though, I think it had more to do with him thinking you were a cop car so he slowed down, then getting pissed when he realized he slowed down for no reason. I fucking hate those cop-looking cars, especially the ones that were bought at auction and still look very much like police cars.

[Ryllharu]

It wasn't dark, which is the only time my car can be confused for a cop car. I should have clarified that. During the day, it is blatantly obvious that my car is a four banger econobox.

He got pissed because I passed his fancy car in my cheap one. I'm betting he didn't do a second time because the woman in his car (which I assume was his wife) called him out on it after the first time...or he proved his point, one way or the other.

[Buffalobiian]

The most satisfying thing I've seen while driving with someone was to race with someone on a two-lane (two lanes in one direction) until you find a normal-speed car. Then you drive next to that normal car at normal speed to block the speedy guy.

They get super pissed and try to get as close to your tail as they can.

That's when you give your brakes a tiny tap - and watch them freak out in your rear view mirror.

[Animeniax]

It wasn't dark, which is the only time my car can be confused for a cop car. I should have clarified that. During the day, it is blatantly obvious that my car is a four banger econobox.

He got pissed because I passed his fancy car in my cheap one. I'm betting he didn't do a second time because the woman in his car (which I assume was his wife) called him out on it after the first time...or he proved his point, one way or the other.

oic. Still, if that's the case then he's a bit of a tool for having his pride hurt because a slow car passes him, especially if he's driving a Porsche.

In my case, it's a little less obvious/evident that I'd destroy most cars on the road. I'd have to hit 5k rpm and burn through gas to fully demonstrate the ability of my car to go faster than those who want to race or pass me. Since I don't want to race/waste gas/drive my car too hard, I often feel a little miffed/emasculated when other drivers want to race. Since I won't race, I end up looking like I drive a slow car or that I don't have the balls to race.


The most satisfying thing I've seen while driving with someone was to race with someone on a two-lane (two lanes in one direction) until you find a normal-speed car. Then you drive next to that normal car at normal speed to block the speedy guy. I'm guilty of doing this sometimes to dangerous drivers like people who cut through traffic. I try to do it in such a way that it's not evident I'm messing with him, since I live in America and people like guns.

[Pandadice]

The most satisfying thing I've seen while driving with someone was to race with someone on a two-lane (two lanes in one direction) until you find a normal-speed car. Then you drive next to that normal car at normal speed to block the speedy guy.

They get super pissed and try to get as close to your tail as they can.

That's when you give your brakes a tiny tap - and watch them freak out in your rear view mirror.
louis ck has a great bit on driving behavior

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8062QEFk5g

[Xollence]

Found out Monday is a holiday and have the day off! :)

[Splash!]

Although funny, I don't really get Louis CK's point in that clip. He seems to be feeling guilty about getting angry at other people for being careless, but it is to be expected as people have to be on edge when driving (so they can react when shit happens). Also leaning in to a person on the elevator hardly presents the same level of risk as someone unexpectedly getting in your lane. I would be alot more forgiving of the person getting angry at someone's carelessness than the person being careless themselves.

[Animeniax]

It's a bit extreme to want someone to die because they scared you or made you nervous by edging into your lane. I understand because I feel that way all the time when I see someone edge into my lane. I even posted in the bitching thread about the time I got pulled over for going ape shit at a guy who went into my lane and almost made me wreck. I also agree with you though that their carelessness shouldn't just be shirked off because they could actually cause you to be in an accident or die.

[Assertn]

Although funny, I don't really get Louis CK's point in that clip. He seems to be feeling guilty about getting angry at other people for being careless, but it is to be expected as people have to be on edge when driving (so they can react when shit happens). Also leaning in to a person on the elevator hardly presents the same level of risk as someone unexpectedly getting in your lane. I would be alot more forgiving of the person getting angry at someone's carelessness than the person being careless themselves.

In some cases, yes. However, road rage can happen over any reason, like the person in front of you is driving too slow, or doesn't notice the traffic light turn green and just sits there.

I think it has less to do with the inherent dangers, and more to do with lack of transparency between you and other drivers. It's like talking to someone over the internet. If you can't see their face and hear their voice, then you lose the human connection with that person. If you feel like you're just talking to a pixelated image, while behind a veil of your own, you might be more inclined to throw common courtesy out the window.

When I get mad at another driver, I'm not getting mad at that individual. I'm just getting mad at a strawman I use to represent my stereotype of a typical bumbling idiot driver.

[Ryllharu]

I know I only became a particular aggressive driver due to a particular highway and rural route combo in the US for my daily commute. Now that I don't drive it anymore, I'm surprisingly blasé about driving.

I might still get miffed about someone going slow, but that is a rare thing.

That said, I still harbor a deeply rooted hatred toward all configurations of Prius. They must either be passed or coerced to go 80 mph (negating the mileage gain).

[shinta|hikari]

I harbor extreme hatred over against horrible drivers. In your cases, it might be unwarranted, since it is all simply about "edging into your lane" or "driving too slow" but horrible drivers over here are way different. The driving behaviors that cause my migraines and wrath are:

1) When someone couldn't wait because the road is congested, then decides to counter flow but eventually meets a car head on, then they just get stuck there for 20 minutes facing each other down, causing a traffic jam.

2) When someone decides to block an entire 2 lanes (thereby cutting the flow of traffic going one direction) by trying to cross an intersection when there is no space to go because the road ahead is congested.

3) When motorcycle riders decide to suddenly pop out from your car's passenger seat side then overtake you by inches for no apparent reason.

4) When public utility buses or jeeps just stop in the middle of the road to pick up or drop off passengers.

All of these are actually illegal, but I encounter each of them at least once or twice EVERYDAY I drive to and from work.

Yes, I would like them to die, and I don't think I am being harsh at all. I have always been a firm believer that the cause of suffering in this world aren't really evil people, but dumb people who do not even try to think of the consequences of their actions. People like horrible drivers.

[Buffalobiian]

I don't really get "angry" with anybody except in this situation (picture to show lights only, not the specific red/green combo):

http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/4669/9kcd.jpg

In Australian intersections (we drive on the left), a right arrow light has the following meaning:

green: you can turn right
yellow: stop turning right unless it's unsafe to do so
red: do not turn right, stay behind your stop-line. Do not enter the intersection
blank light (no arrow), green "normal light": Cars driving straight can do so. Cars turning right should drive halfway out onto the intersection and prepare to turn right at the next safest moment. Once you have entered the intersection in such a manner, you're supposed to turn right when you can, regardless of the colour of your lights.

That rule means that at least one car should leave the queue once the arrow has blanked out. Many drivers here stay behind the stop line instead of entering the intersection, meaning that they can't move during the "every light is red" window (a car sitting halfway into the intersection can, since they have an obligation to clear the intersection). That puts people in the queue and means more waiting.

[Animeniax]

I know I only became a particular aggressive driver due to a particular highway and rural route combo in the US for my daily commute. Now that I don't drive it anymore, I'm surprisingly blasé about driving.

I might still get miffed about someone going slow, but that is a rare thing.

That said, I still harbor a deeply rooted hatred toward all configurations of Prius. They must either be passed or coerced to go 80 mph (negating the mileage gain).

Weird, I think I currently have that same affliction. On what would otherwise be a nice drive on a speedy highway and a 20 minute drive to work, I still manage to get my blood pressure up and drive very aggressively, tail-gating slow drivers in the left lane, cutting in front of the same slow drivers when I manage to get past them (no signal just to make the point), and driving 80 in a 65 that could easily be a speed trap for TX state troopers.

In my experience, Prius drivers are douchebags who drive fast and aggressively because they think they're holier than the rest of us because they drive eco friendly cars.

@Buff: good lord that's too specific and too complicated a bitch. Be more concise and fewer people will skim that shit.

[Animeniax]

Paid off the note on my truck today. That's the third of three auto loans that I've paid off well in advance of their maturity dates. I know it doesn't help my credit score to pay off early but it's no big deal since my score is in the 800s already, and it's one less debt that comes out of my accounts each month. Makes me smile.

[Xelbair]

I harbor extreme hatred over against horrible drivers. In your cases, it might be unwarranted, since it is all simply about "edging into your lane" or "driving too slow" but horrible drivers over here are way different. The driving behaviors that cause my migraines and wrath are:

1) When someone couldn't wait because the road is congested, then decides to counter flow but eventually meets a car head on, then they just get stuck there for 20 minutes facing each other down, causing a traffic jam.

2) When someone decides to block an entire 2 lanes (thereby cutting the flow of traffic going one direction) by trying to cross an intersection when there is no space to go because the road ahead is congested.

3) When motorcycle riders decide to suddenly pop out from your car's passenger seat side then overtake you by inches for no apparent reason.

4) When public utility buses or jeeps just stop in the middle of the road to pick up or drop off passengers.

All of these are actually illegal, but I encounter each of them at least once or twice EVERYDAY I drive to and from work.

Yes, I would like them to die, and I don't think I am being harsh at all. I have always been a firm believer that the cause of suffering in this world aren't really evil people, but dumb people who do not even try to think of the consequences of their actions. People like horrible drivers.

nr 2 happens in here all the fucking time. once i've been blocked in traffic jam for 2h, when it should take 10 minutes tops(including congested roads AND every red light on every possible intersection) because of this.



I don't really get "angry" with anybody except in this situation (picture to show lights only, not the specific red/green combo):

http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/4669/9kcd.jpg

In Australian intersections (we drive on the left), a right arrow light has the following meaning:

green: you can turn right
yellow: stop turning right unless it's unsafe to do so
red: do not turn right, stay behind your stop-line. Do not enter the intersection
blank light (no arrow), green "normal light": Cars driving straight can do so. Cars turning right should drive halfway out onto the intersection and prepare to turn right at the next safest moment. Once you have entered the intersection in such a manner, you're supposed to turn right when you can, regardless of the colour of your lights.

That rule means that at least one car should leave the queue once the arrow has blanked out. Many drivers here stay behind the stop line instead of entering the intersection, meaning that they can't move during the "every light is red" window (a car sitting halfway into the intersection can, since they have an obligation to clear the intersection). That puts people in the queue and means more waiting.

generally lights in Poland are kinda similar
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any arrow light - green you are 100% safe, and nothing is blocking your way to go. yellow prepare to stop/start(ignored, which is annyoing as fuck - stop part i can get - it is usually timed in such way that one more car can pass without causing any problems... but the start part is annoying - it would mean that 1 or 2 more cars could pass through, but nope - someone starts putting in the gear when it turns green)
red: do not move, stop.

if there are no arrows:
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green -driving forward is safe, turning right(obv from rightmost lane only) is safe. if you wand to turn left(leftmost lane only) you have to wait at the centre of intersection for a chance to safely finish the turn(obv they have their own lane).
yellow - prepare to start/stop
red - do not move, stop.

there is sometimes a small arrow light(just one) near normal lights - it means that you can pass the stop line when there is RED light IF you are turning in the direction of the arrow, and wait for chance to turn. they are mostly for right turns, but i know 2 left ones in my city.

[Ryllharu]

any arrow light - green you are 100% safe, and nothing is blocking your way to go. yellow prepare to stop/start(ignored, which is annyoing as fuck - stop part i can get - it is usually timed in such way that one more car can pass without causing any problems... but the start part is annoying - it would mean that 1 or 2 more cars could pass through, but nope - someone starts putting in the gear when it turns green)
red: do not move, stop.

if there are no arrows:
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green -driving forward is safe, turning right(obv from rightmost lane only) is safe. if you wand to turn left(leftmost lane only) you have to wait at the centre of intersection for a chance to safely finish the turn(obv they have their own lane).
yellow - prepare to start/stop
red - do not move, stop.

there is sometimes a small arrow light(just one) near normal lights - it means that you can pass the stop line when there is RED light IF you are turning in the direction of the arrow, and wait for chance to turn. they are mostly for right turns, but i know 2 left ones in my city.

Rule #1 about lights in the US: If the light turned green (including short green arrows), you're never 100% safe. Look anyway, someone might be blowing the red light (probably will be) after a few ran the yellow. This is why there is usually a slight delay in a light turning green. All will be red for at least a half second.

All those arrows are crazy. We force our drivers to look around.

[Buffalobiian]

1572

wtf is the 3rd set from the right??

edit: oh.. right, it's u-turn + turn left. It confused me because the diagram starts off by going left instead of going straight, then left.

In Australia, you can't do a u-turn unless a separate sign underneath the traffic lights say you can. Liberties are taken though. Yellow lights generally last for around 2 seconds, while there's a 0.5 to 1 second gap when everything is red, like Ryll says. It's... generally pretty safe here when you see a green. I've only seen one guy run a red without looking, and I was a pedestrian crossing.

[shinta|hikari]

Running red lights is normal here. It is even stranger not to see one in every light change in busy major intersections. The traffic police tolerate it because stopping them to give them a ticket will worsen the delay of traffic even more.

[Xelbair]

Rule #1 about lights in the US: If the light turned green (including short green arrows), you're never 100% safe. Look anyway, someone might be blowing the red light (probably will be) after a few ran the yellow. This is why there is usually a slight delay in a light turning green. All will be red for at least a half second.

All those arrows are crazy. We force our drivers to look around.

Isn't looking a common sense? someone might be disregarding his red light. there is a longer delay in here - depends, but it is few seconds.


wtf is the 3rd set from the right??

edit: oh.. right, it's u-turn + turn left. It confused me because the diagram starts off by going left instead of going straight, then left.

In Australia, you can't do a u-turn unless a separate sign underneath the traffic lights say you can. Liberties are taken though. Yellow lights generally last for around 2 seconds, while there's a 0.5 to 1 second gap when everything is red, like Ryll says. It's... generally pretty safe here when you see a green. I've only seen one guy run a red without looking, and I was a pedestrian crossing.

3rd set from right? you can either turn left, or do an U-turn. you can't do U-turns ONLY if there is a sign forbidding it.


Running red lights is normal here. It is even stranger not to see one in every light change in busy major intersections. The traffic police tolerate it because stopping them to give them a ticket will worsen the delay of traffic even more.

same here.. also police doesn't bother with even being near crossings most of the time - they find a sweet spots with messed up signs to get free 'pocket' money from unaware drivers.

[shinta|hikari]

same here.. also police doesn't bother with even being near crossings most of the time - they find a sweet spots with messed up signs to get free 'pocket' money from unaware drivers.

It seems traffic police all over the world share the same characteristics.

[Animeniax]

It's not the police's fault that the local populace are too spineless to stand up to corruption. If people don't protest it or stand up against it, then they tacitly condone it. Don't hate the players, hate the game and the nutless curs who let it happen.

[shinta|hikari]

Victim blaming.

[Animeniax]

Victim blaming.

Sometimes the victim has to take some responsibility for the shit that happens to them. There are ways to avoid being a victim, or at least to lessen your chances. If you can't do at least that, then you get what you get. I'm not saying something as crass as "she was asking for it," but more along the lines of "maybe if she wasn't out by herself on a dark street then maybe she would have avoided the situation altogether."

Or in the case of traffic citations, maybe if you slowed down and drove responsibly, then you wouldn't have to deal with corrupt cops and have to pay a bribe to get out of a ticket. Or if you as citizens got your government representatives to crack down on police corruption, then there would be less of it.

[shinta|hikari]

Didn't you read the part where the corrupt cops ambush you at places where the signs are confusing? I have personally experienced being stopped for not completely stopping at a stop sign (I was moving at a crawl, there was no sign post, and the paint text on the ground is faded and almost invisible) by a cop who jumped out from a bush.

The government representatives are also corrupt. Change is taking place because of citizen efforts, but it is a slow process due to the level of corruption in the system.

Yeah, the corrupt cops are at fault.

There is a crackdown on corrupt politicians going on right now, and they are running around like headless chickens trying to place blame on each other. That made me smile.

[Kraco]

same here.. also police doesn't bother with even being near crossings most of the time - they find a sweet spots with messed up signs to get free 'pocket' money from unaware drivers.


It seems traffic police all over the world share the same characteristics.

Police corruption is quite low over here. The traffic police does have some sweet spots, but those are actually real places where drivers regularly ignore red lights (or signs or speed limits), for one reason or another. I also don't remember any places with really confusing signs. In fact I'd like for the police to do more. I bike a lot more than drive a car, and the population in these parts could pay more attention to signs when they are driving. The cops seem to ignore those careless drivers oft enough even if it happens right in front of them, if they aren't specifically looking for such incidents. I guess I could call it police laziness instead of police corruption. But then again, the police has been hit every bit as bad by the budget cuts as any other useful institution of late, so I can't really blame them too much.

[Animeniax]

Police corruption is quite low over here. The traffic police does have some sweet spots, but those are actually real places where drivers regularly ignore red lights (or signs or speed limits), for one reason or another. I also don't remember any places with really confusing signs. In fact I'd like for the police to do more. I bike a lot more than drive a car, and the population in these parts could pay more attention to signs when they are driving. The cops seem to ignore those careless drivers oft enough even if it happens right in front of them, if they aren't specifically looking for such incidents. I guess I could call it police laziness instead of police corruption. But then again, the police has been hit every bit as bad by the budget cuts as any other useful institution of late, so I can't really blame them too much.

In my country... unless they are specifically assigned to traffic detail, the police are discouraged by their superiors from pursuing traffic violations while they are on patrol in a sector. They will only stop the most egregious violations, but most will be ignored because they want the officers available to respond to trouble calls, not spend all their time issuing citations (which would surely happen because people break traffic laws all day long). Not sure if this is how police operate in Finland.

[Kraco]

Not sure if this is how police operate in Finland.

That would certainly explain it. It's probably the case over here as well, then.

[Animeniax]

He's from Poland. I wouldn't group Poland with the Scandinavian countries. The poles are decades behind.

[Kraco]

Actually I was quoting your post, but it looks like I found a forum engine bug in the process. In my previous post I multi-quoted, and it looks like the forum engine remembers that multi-quote even later when you are making subsequent posts. I didn't pay attention, since there's no reason for such an illogical "feature", and thus it looks like I accidentally left Xel's name in the quote, instead of yours like it should have been.

[Animeniax]

Ahh, that makes more sense. I wasn't sure how much solidarity exist between European countries.


Didn't you read the part where the corrupt cops ambush you at places where the signs are confusing? I have personally experienced being stopped for not completely stopping at a stop sign (I was moving at a crawl, there was no sign post, and the paint text on the ground is faded and almost invisible) by a cop who jumped out from a bush..No, I skimmed thru most of the complaints about traffic signs because I live in a country where traffic signs make sense ('Murica!) Plus this is the smiling thread and those sound mostly like bitches.

What you did is called a "California stop" over here, and it's frowned upon in most places outside California.

[shinta|hikari]

The only difference is you can actually see the signs over there.

Your ability to ignore information inconvenient for you made me smile though.

[Animeniax]

No, just the nonsensical stuff.

Glad you can still smile while bitching about being ticketed by "corrupt" cops. In the US, we have remedies for stuff like faded signs. Take a picture and bring it to court and you can get out of the ticket. So sorry you live in the 3rd world where you have no recourse but to bitch about stuff on the internet.

[shinta|hikari]

EDIT: Changed my mind. Okay.

[Xelbair]

Didn't you read the part where the corrupt cops ambush you at places where the signs are confusing? I have personally experienced being stopped for not completely stopping at a stop sign (I was moving at a crawl, there was no sign post, and the paint text on the ground is faded and almost invisible) by a cop who jumped out from a bush.

The government representatives are also corrupt. Change is taking place because of citizen efforts, but it is a slow process due to the level of corruption in the system.

Yeah, the corrupt cops are at fault.

There is a crackdown on corrupt politicians going on right now, and they are running around like headless chickens trying to place blame on each other. That made me smile.

speaking about politicians... the president of Warsaw is under referendum to kick her out of the spot because she keeps fucking up the city. Guess what our PM(same political party) said - that even if she gets kicked out he'll make her a temporary governor of Warsaw - she keeps the spot until the next election, despite the referendum.... and ppl still vote for him.
i can't fucking wait for next election - if the same party wins again, despite the shitstorm they've created for themselves, i'm 140% sure that voting is being messed with.

hmm now i remember lulzy case - one of members of that party took a pretty big bribe(500k pln, approx 100k pounds)... and was judged not guilty, despite that it was all filmed, documented and all.

[Xelbair]

Sorry for doublepost, but this one is godly

http://fuwanovel.org/novels/hatoful-boyfriend

best. story. ever.

[shinta|hikari]

Are you joking or do I have to play this now?

[Xelbair]

i've got no idea tbh - but from what i've read it is indeed good VN storywise. My friend will play it in few days though.

[Animeniax]

Between the difficulty of flying planes in GTAV and watching the Texans play like shit, I hulk smashed my PS3 controller by throwing it at the table (luckily not at the TV). Of course it stopped working, or at least the R1 button stopped working. Took the controller apart, realigned the sensors and buttons, and it's working fine again. Made me smile.

[shinta|hikari]

Sony controllers are unbelievably tough. I keep throwing them to the ground and they are still fine.

That reminds me of the earliest version of the psp I bought ages ago. It fell out of my pocket while I was riding my bike at 40kph and crashed into concrete, rolled around before coming to a stop. It was chipped at one edge, but worked perfectly fine. Remembering that that made me smile then made me smile.

[KitKat]

Whoa, you guys are hard on your video game equipment o_o Always good to have the skills to fix things after a hulk smash.

I came across a job posting today that fits almost every qualification I have, AND it's local. I've never typed out a cover letter with such glee.

[fahoumh]

Whoa, you guys are hard on your video game equipment o_o Always good to have the skills to fix things after a hulk smash.Some things can't be fixed after a hulk smash...trust me, I know.


I came across a job posting today that fits almost every qualification I have, AND it's local. I've never typed out a cover letter with such glee.
What an odd thing to say; I never imagined "cover letter" and "glee" to be in the same sentence. Still pretty cool, though. Good luck! :-)

[enkoujin]

It's surprising how easy some problems can be fixed if you manage to just open things up with a screwdriver and tinker around. It's a shame not many people do it because they're usually too lazy or scared to do it.

[Animeniax]

It's surprising how easy some problems can be fixed if you manage to just open things up with a screwdriver and tinker around. It's a shame not many people do it because they're usually too lazy or scared to do it.

Unfortunately some things can't be fixed so easily, as fahoumh said. It turns out the controller isn't working as it should. The O button works intermittently, which is a problem since I started playing a game that uses it as the attack button. I'm going to take it apart again, but looks like I'll have to drop $40 for a new controller. After destroying 2 keyboards due to game rage, you'd think I'd learn to stop taking out my frustration on the hardware.

[Buffalobiian]

I am responsible for all the plaster-wall holes in my place. Each one only got bigger so... nah, learning's not happening. :p

Hope it all goes well Kitkat! I've always dreaded coverletters, as few as I've written. It's all formality. There's not greatly a lot to write about really.. you've got a job on offer, and I want a job. Now read my CV. :S

I suppose it could be good to write if you could sell yourself to be the exact match like you said in your post. Even then, what's really missing from that which isn't in your CV already? Aspirations?

[Animeniax]

Well I found this video which might help:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cnXHaHw1qA

But of course I just ordered a new controller and it will probably ship before I can try this fix on the controller. If I cancel the order now and the fix doesn't work then I'll be without a properly functioning controller until next Monday or Tuesday. Can I survive a weekend without GTAV and DR2:OTR?

[Ryllharu]

We got bored at work, and developed a Fruitnetic Alphabet (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NATO_phonetic_alphabet) (not a link to the one we created, just the source of the pun).

We only had to cheat twice, "I" and "U". There is no "X". Took less than 15 minutes.

[Animeniax]

Man, and here I was just thinking how I wasted my day at work. Just kidding, I played a lot of BF3 and watched another episode of GoT.

[Archangel]

Between the difficulty of flying planes in GTAV and watching the Texans play like shit, I hulk smashed my PS3 controller by throwing it at the table (luckily not at the TV). Of course it stopped working, or at least the R1 button stopped working. Took the controller apart, realigned the sensors and buttons, and it's working fine again. Made me smile.
They fly fine but landing them is fucking impossible.

[Animeniax]

They fly fine but landing them is fucking impossible.

If the character you are using has high flying skill then flying is easier, but when you learn how to fly with Michael it gets a lot trickier. But yeah, it took me a while to learn how to land properly.

[Ryllharu]

I can safely say that I've never landed a plane in Saint's Row. You don't have to, nor is it desirable to do so. They're weapons. Giant, hand-guided missiles.

Take off, fly through a few barnstorming areas...and drop it on a rival gang. Then clean up the mess.

[Assertn]

Aww yeah, stocks are up, and me and a friend are making plans to become franchisees for an up-and-coming restaurant brand. Should be pretty exciting.

[Animeniax]

Yeah stocks have been doing well lately. Unfortunately it's what GOP pundits use to fake that the economy is improving, when only around 54% of the public are involved in stocks in any form including 401k and IRAs.

Me and a buddy wanted to become franchises for Buffalo Wild Wings (a wing joint that used to be exclusive to Houston, TX) but their requirements for franchisees circa 2007 was ridiculous. You had to have something like $250k liquid and net worth of $400-500k to be considered. They have since broadened their franchising scope with more locations so I imagine it's easier now.

edit: actually it might be harder now: http://franchiseinfo.buffalowildwings.com/www/index.php?page=requirements

[Assertn]

Yeah stocks have been doing well lately. Unfortunately it's what GOP pundits use to fake that the economy is improving, when only around 54% of the public are involved in stocks in any form including 401k and IRAs.

Me and a buddy wanted to become franchises for Buffalo Wild Wings (a wing joint that used to be exclusive to Houston, TX) but their requirements for franchisees circa 2007 was ridiculous. You had to have something like $250k liquid and net worth of $400-500k to be considered. They have since broadened their franchising scope with more locations so I imagine it's easier now.

edit: actually it might be harder now: http://franchiseinfo.buffalowildwings.com/www/index.php?page=requirements

Yeahh... I was about to say, that sounds relatively cheap, considering how upscale BWW restaurants tend to be. Even opening a Jimmy Johns falls within that price range.

[Animeniax]

Shiiiiit, Twitter's IPO share price will be $17-20. While I'm glad I didn't buy fb at IPO, I should have gotten in when they were at their low, as they have since increased almost three times in value. Anyone planning to wade into Twitter's IPO?

[Assertn]

Shiiiiit, Twitter's IPO share price will be $17-20. While I'm glad I didn't buy fb at IPO, I should have gotten in when they were at their low, as they have since increased almost three times in value. Anyone planning to wade into Twitter's IPO?
How would you have gotten fb at IPO? You have to be an insider or a big-shot investor to get that kind of priviledge.

[Animeniax]

How would you have gotten fb at IPO? You have to be an insider or a big-shot investor to get that kind of priviledge.

Sorry I don't know all the processes as I'm a small time player (obviously). I meant whenever shares were trading on the exchange. Price will be higher than at IPO, but probably still worth looking into, at least short term.

[Death BOO Z]

I have class this semester that's mostly Visual Basic programming. none of the other students in my class have any experience in programming (I learned a bit of C in my BA) so it's a really basic class.

with computer programming, you can actually tell if you're successful or not, which is kinda great. Code works = Happy.
unlike other classes, in which you have to wait a few days\weeks\months to know if your efforts were in the right direction.

[Xelbair]

Yesterday on Iaido training we were sparring with sensei - we both sat down in front of each other in seiza and we, the students, tried to perform the beginning of 1st kata from seitei(Mae), while sensei was going to counter us in any way possible... I've 'lost' my arms at least 10 times(then 'died')... few times i managed to 'blind' the sensei, but i died due to cut in the gut... but one time i managed to 'kill' the sensei, leaving him no chance to react :D
that made me really smile.

P.S.
somehow due to illnesses of other students there were only 2 of us, and 2 sensei.. which made this training ever better :D

[Kraco]

Dying is a pretty severe illness and really hard to fully recuperate from, so I can see why there would be fewer and fewer students around.

[Xelbair]

Nah, people resurrect all the time.

[Buffalobiian]

Exams over. I think I passed.

Also dropped my phone in the city. Saved by UAG.

[Assertn]

Locked in some crazy gains on a new stock I've been following.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=s3CiJ26YS_U
Shot up from $4/share to $7/share recently, though I expect it to drop down for a while until they eventually explode into something huge. Just think... need a new kidney? Why not print one?

So anybody pick this stock up when I mentioned it? It's now up almost 50% since then.

[Animeniax]

So anybody pick this stock up when I mentioned it? It's now up almost 50% since then.

Not me, I stopped acting on stock tips after I lost a bunch on Priceline (back before it revived itself and jumped to $1000+ a share).

[Assertn]

So... anybody pick that stock up since I last mentioned it (again)? It's now up another 10% today.

[Carnage]

You should host your own Jim Cramer style #Gotwoot stock picking show. Once a week/month.

[UChessmaster]

I always looked down on my class because they were mostly lazy and had no passion for the profession. Today we had an oral presentation and absolutely everyone shined, I was overwhelmed with a sense of pride in my group, manly tears.

[Buffalobiian]

I always looked down on my class because they were mostly lazy and had no passion for the profession. Today we had an oral presentation and absolutely everyone shined, I was overwhelmed with a sense of pride in my group, manly tears.

I was talking to an American student today, and he said that in general we (Australians) tend to take things easy and enjoy life outside of work. He thinks that's a good thing, but understands that it could be perceived as laziness. His American cohort is more driven and ambitious about trying to make the most of their time and make the most amount of money they could during that time.

I didn't get around to asking him whether people were driven that way due to social pressure (if you don't aim high like everyone else around you you're screwed), or because they all innately wanted to. I am self-admittedly lazy, even amongst my Australian cohort (we don't have to try as hard because we don't have a crazy national theory exam at this stage in our career like they do). I'm not incompetent, but I do lack passion and the "be the best that I can be" attitude.

[shinta|hikari]

Same here. If I actually tried I would probably be making more than twice the money I make right now.

Still, I like my "work". I was paid for an entire year of reading light novels, manga, restaurant blogs, visiting coupon sites, chatting with friends, making maps and enemies for table top rpgs, making digital art, going to the spa during office hours, going home and playing VNs during office hours etc.

Just realized I might be the laziest person I know. That made me smile.

[Death BOO Z]

good for you!

[enkoujin]

Same here. If I actually tried I would probably be making more than twice the money I make right now.

Still, I like my "work". I was paid for an entire year of reading light novels, manga, restaurant blogs, visiting coupon sites, chatting with friends, making maps and enemies for table top rpgs, making digital art, going to the spa during office hours, going home and playing VNs during office hours etc.

Just realized I might be the laziest person I know. That made me smile.

What kind of job is this and where can I sign up???

[Animeniax]

What kind of job is this and where can I sign up???

It's a lot less fun than you'd think, and definitely not as rewarding as one would hopefully want from their work. I have the same kind of job. Who would have thought you could get tired of spending all work day watching movies and playing video games? At this point I'd rather have a job where I could work with others in my field and go home every day feeling like I accomplished something.

[shinta|hikari]

True enough. After a year, I sorta wanna get off retirement.

[Animeniax]

I'm the same way. Some days I enjoy having no work to do, but other days I feel like I'm wasting my life away. Maybe if I had a video game I could really get into, I'd ignore the voice of ambition in my head and just enjoy myself.

[enkoujin]

If you like your work, why not ask for a little bit more work if you're bored? It might show your managers that you're hardworking and deserve a nice promotion or bonus.

[Animeniax]

It depends on your job, but with mine it's not possible to ask for more work. It'd be like a manager of a store asking for other responsibilities... you already have them all, unless you want to start taking out the trash and mopping the floors as well.

Unfortunately another downside to this job is that it's dead-end. There is almost zero chance of promotion and what we learn on the job doesn't prepare us for any other positions within the organization. Pay is decent to good and the best use of time would be to study and do homework for classes, if you wanted to further your education.

Worse yet to me is that you can't be proud of the job or talk about it with family or peers, except to boast about how you can sleep and watch movies at work. It gets a chuckle, but no respect or admiration.

[shinta|hikari]

If you like your work, why not ask for a little bit more work if you're bored? It might show your managers that you're hardworking and deserve a nice promotion or bonus.

Too lazy.

[Animeniax]

So... anybody pick that stock up since I last mentioned it (again)? It's now up another 10% today.

I hope you got out of this before Tuesday, unless you plan to stay long. For those not following, it lost 1/3 of it's value in 2 days, but is trending up again. I might get in if it bottoms out.

[Animeniax]

Gotta love winter in the South. Light drizzle that turned to ice has given us 3 snow days off and 1 late starts in the past 2-3 weeks.

edit: a late start day turned into another day off.

[Marik]

My power was finally restored. :)

[Kraco]

My power was finally restored. :)

What's that? You had a super power, but Lex took it away with kryptonite for a while, but now it's back? Good for you!

[Buffalobiian]

My power was finally restored. :)

Did you lose any food like Ryll did once? Or could you just throw it all outside to chill?

[Marik]

I threw it all out before the power came back on. I was starting to smell it.

[Animeniax]

I threw it all out before the power came back on. I was starting to smell it.

You couldn't have stored it in a cooler out in the cold? Or did it start getting warm outside even before the power came back on?

[Marik]

You couldn't have stored it in a cooler out in the cold? Or did it start getting warm outside even before the power came back on?

I was sleeping with the oven on (and the door opened) to keep warm. When I woke up this morning it was 80 in here.

[Ryllharu]

Personally, I would have thrown the food outside into the snowy ice. That's honestly the only advantage of losing power in the winter. Keep it out of the sun and if the temperature stays below 40°F (4.4C), you're good.

I guess there's always the chance of animals eating it though. Doesn't matter if you're an urbanite either, raccoons and opossums are everywhere (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:American_opssum_in_baby_grand_piano.jpg).

[UChessmaster]

I went to the gym`s sauna today, and it was TOTALLY like in the porno movie!

[Kraco]

I went to the gym`s sauna today, and it was TOTALLY like in the porno movie!

A mixed sauna and couples were all busy touching their partners? I guess that must have been depressing after a while if you went in alone.

[UChessmaster]

I joined in though.

[Edort4]

What kind of Sauna is that? The ones I use to go to work at 80º - 90º and at those conditions to do any kind of "exercise" equals fainting or heart attack.

[UChessmaster]

It was recently turned on when it happened, wasn`t that hot. Plus we didn`t have sex sex, we fooled around for a bit (so I guess it wasn`t EXACTLY like the porno, but close enough)

[Assertn]

It was recently turned on when it happened, wasn`t that hot. Plus we didn`t have sex sex, we fooled around for a bit (so I guess it wasn`t EXACTLY like the porno, but close enough)

Being gay presents so many opportunities that just don't happen when you're straight.

[UChessmaster]

Wanna join the gay side? we have sexy saunas.

[Animeniax]

Wanna join the gay side? we have sexy saunas.

Whaaaat? You guys spent all this time trying to convince us it's biology not a personal choice. Colbert was right.

[Buffalobiian]

I just recently moved to a new location and unpacked a whole load of stuff. Once I got my computer system going I wondered why my setup sounded different (PC -> DAC -> Amp -> Headphone and/or speakers). It weirded me out at first and I thought something broke, but there was seemingly increased detail, clarity and overall volume as well.

After some thinking, I settled on the fact that I forgot my power surge protector at my old place and that in fact the power here is now "better" than in the previous setting. That's the only real explanation I can come up with. It's not all flowers and roses though. The increased clarity/volume boost means there's also slightly increased sibilance. Still, overall it's a rather pleasant surprise.

[Xelbair]

I've got more realistic explanation - "snake oil" placebo effect caused by happiness to moving to new location. :P

[Buffalobiian]

I've got more realistic explanation - "snake oil" placebo effect caused by happiness to moving to new location. :P

Hah, I knew someone would say that.

Thing is, placebo only works when someone expects a result from some form of intervention, right? You give someone a pill that they think would have an action, and it does (even though it doesn't physically do anything). It's the power of belief.

Now if someone thinks they're getting results without believing beforehand that something should change their current state,.. it's not placebo is it?

There's no "happiness" involved Xel in moving here Xel. :P

[UChessmaster]

Passed my English test, 109/120!

[Death BOO Z]

good for you!

[Abdula]

Noblesse is back. That is all.

[UChessmaster]

http://i61.tinypic.com/1499wyr.jpg

I don`t need good grades when I have ALL this SWAG (But I got the good grades anyway).

[Animeniax]

That's awesome man. We need more intelligent people becoming doctors and fewer politicians and financiers.

[Kraco]

That's awesome man. We need more intelligent people becoming doctors and fewer politicians and financiers.

Actually my home country could use an intelligent politician or two. It has been many years since we last had one, and the country is in ruins.

[Xelbair]

Actually my home country could use an intelligent politician or two. It has been many years since we last had one, and the country is in ruins.

intelligent? politician?.... aren't those two mutually exclusive?

[Buffalobiian]

I don't think the issue isn't so much that politicians aren't smart (or perhaps it's that smart people stay clear of politics?), but that politicians aren't looking out for our interests, but their own.

[UChessmaster]

That's awesome man. We need more intelligent people becoming doctors and fewer politicians and financiers.

This was my last semester, now the hard part begins, earning a place in U.S.A.

[Animeniax]

Actually my home country could use an intelligent politician or two. It has been many years since we last had one, and the country is in ruins.
I imagine your politicians are quite intelligent. The problem is they are also corrupt or have different agendas besides the public good.


This was my last semester, now the hard part begins, earning a place in U.S.A.

So now that you've graduated medical school, do you have a doctor of medicine degree or something else? Either way, it should be easy to get a green card and citizenship if you have such a pedigree and skills. I'd be happy to sponsor your citizenship if needed.

[UChessmaster]

I have a master`s in physical therapy not medicine, I switched a while ago, how would you sponsor me?

[Animeniax]

Oh ok, same deal though, the US needs more skilled workers so it should be easy to get a work permit and then citizenship. I don't know how the immigration process works, but if it requires a current citizen to vouch for you, I'll do it.

[Assertn]

Oh ok, same deal though, the US needs more skilled workers so it should be easy to get a work permit and then citizenship. I don't know how the immigration process works, but if it requires a current citizen to vouch for you, I'll do it.

I'm pretty sure it's a bit more complicated than "oh I know this guy from an anime forum. He's cool."

My girlfriend is an auditor working for a top-40 company, and she needs to go through a visa renewal process like anyone else. It's entirely possible for her renewal to be declined, and then she'd have to go back to Japan.

[Animeniax]

I'm pretty sure it's a bit more complicated than "oh I know this guy from an anime forum. He's cool."

My girlfriend is an auditor working for a top-40 company, and she needs to go through a visa renewal process like anyone else. It's entirely possible for her renewal to be declined, and then she'd have to go back to Japan.

Well yeah, but you have to start somewhere (like having a place to stay, someone you know, someone to file the paperwork who's in country). I know I'm probably flippantly committing to more than I understand for someone I hardly know, but sometimes you have to do it and follow through and see where it leads. My sister is an immigration lawyer who helps companies bring people into the US on work permits, so I'd have some help there too.

[Abdula]

Well then Ani your sister could tell you it is a truly unnecessarily complicated process, much like almost everything else in this country. The requirements for people who work in medicine or related fields are particularly wonky. Getting sponsorship with a medical degree used to be relatively easy but the laws are a lot more stringent now.

I just can't believe you said we need fewer intelligent people becoming politicians. The lack of intelligent policy makers is the largest problem most countries and America in particular has.

Anyway congrats UC, I had a friend who also did PT who accomplished what you are planning. I had not thought of him in years. I hope it works out.

[UChessmaster]

Yep, I have different paths I can take, my goal right now is to graduate in June, do work interview through Skype with companies that will sponsor, then get a permit to take the PT test, once I pass that I`m in!

[Animeniax]

Well then Ani your sister could tell you it is a truly unnecessarily complicated process, much like almost everything else in this country. The requirements for people who work in medicine or related fields are particularly wonky. Getting sponsorship with a medical degree used to be relatively easy but the laws are a lot more stringent now.

I just can't believe you said we need fewer intelligent people becoming politicians. The lack of intelligent policy makers is the largest problem most countries and America in particular has.

Anyway congrats UC, I had a friend who also did PT who accomplished what you are planning. I had not thought of him in years. I hope it works out.

I used to work for an oil and gas company that brought in engineers from Canada and South America, so I know what a mess the immigration process is, even with a company backing you. Worse is when the company wants to cut ties with you, and they back-date cancellation of immigration papers so you have zero time to get your affairs in order before you have to leave the country (this happened to a buddy of mine). It's no wonder so many people circumvent the immigration process and come in illegally.

Politicians are intelligent people, book smart anyway. Most are lawyers or come from business, etc. They are by most measures very intelligent people. Unfortunately the political process is so corrupted that laws that are passed don't make sense, are convoluted or have too much pork attached, or just don't get passed. Also the political game is such that politicians are more concerned with getting re-elected than with passing laws that actually help.

[poopdeville]

I applied for a job working at an insurance company, and today I learned that they want me to come in to interview. It's pretty sweet, the HR people was very excited (which makes me think they've had trouble filling the position... instant raise). I'm meeting with the owner on Wednesday.

[enkoujin]

Good luck!

[Buffalobiian]

Gained some alloy wheels today. They're like the SSDs for cars :D

[Kraco]

Gained some alloy wheels today. They're like the SSDs for cars :D

Yeah, right. Let's hope the alloy wheels will get you more girls than an SSD inside a computer.

[Animeniax]

Gained some alloy wheels today. They're like the SSDs for cars :D

Sorry man, but most alloy wheels are more like a 7200rpm HDD. Forged wheels would be like SSDs.

[Ryllharu]

It's not the wheels, it's the tires. All you need is grip. Steelies work just fine.

[Buffalobiian]

I'm talking about the increased handling and lightness as opposed to raw speed which makes me think of SSDs. I'll take 7200rpm as a valid comparison I suppose.

[Animeniax]

Alloy wheels also add the bling factor.

[Archangel]

Midala Midala Midala (http://www.nyaa.se/?page=download&tid=557033)

[Archangel]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jCQQp7bMsA

[Animeniax]

Actually they've done studies with very young children and they show a propensity for distinguishing others by skin color.

[lelouch]

That Tyler is gonna get so much pussy when he gets older. That white kid is totally wishing it was the 1960's again. Homeboy stealing alll the white girl poontang

[Buffalobiian]

Who is this Tyler?

edit: nvm....

[Animeniax]

That Tyler is gonna get so much pussy when he gets older. That white kid is totally wishing it was the 1960's again. Homeboy stealing alll the white girl poontang

Notice the title of the video is "Tyler being welcomed back". The teachers most likely set up this reception. Even the girls' comments seem scripted. Still cute and kinda heart-warming, but staged.

[Assertn]

That white kid is totally wishing it was the 1960's again. Homeboy stealing alll the white girl poontang
Yeah, I'm sure that's exactly what the white toddler boy is thinking. Wtf, man?

[lelouch]

Yeah, I'm sure that's exactly what the white toddler boy is thinking. Wtf, man?

You don't know man. You weren't there.

[Buffalobiian]

Played a great game of basketball today. We don't keep count since it's just a friendly, non-comp thing but I think I scored at least 10-20 baskets. I also risked unstrapping my right pinkie finger (it was sprained 3x without full recover around a month ago) so I could actually play more naturally and only suffered a minor sprain on my left 4th finger.

Perhaps the biggest factor was that I didn't shoot perimeter shots (I did that quite a bit prior and lost possession a fair bit) much and went with layups and hooks.

Another factor I suppose was that I wasn't playing against the people who typically locked me out from low post, so said moves above were actually effective.

All in all, 2hrs flew by like nothing. Good times.

[shinta|hikari]

10-20 is a huge range. 10 vs 20 is completely different.

[Buffalobiian]

10-20 is a huge range. 10 vs 20 is completely different.

Yeah, I had to be conservative with my estimates too because I really didn't keep count. We just run up and down the court scoring whenever. We play as seriously as we can, but at the same time intentionally don't keep score to eliminate any real feelings of losing.

10-20 means I scored at least 10, but prolly not more than 20. Really guessing here.

[Buffalobiian]

I was having a look for songs to drive to, and I was reminded of how good K-ON actually was.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18ObVdcCkdI

[Kraco]

I was having a look for songs to drive to, and I was reminded of how good K-ON actually was.


How good K-ON actually was..? I'm not trying to preach here, but you know, Bill, drunk driving is not something you should be doing.

[shinta|hikari]

K-ON was good for its intended audience. It also had great execution. If you don't like moe slice of life shows, then you won't like it. It would be like forcing a male homophobic to watch yaoi.

[Archangel]

K-ON was good for its intended audience. It also had great execution. If you don't like moe slice of life shows, then you won't like it. It would be like forcing a male homophobic to watch yaoi.

Also, to add, K-ON was actually shit.

[shinta|hikari]

Congratulations for being open minded.

[Animeniax]

Watching the Simpsons marathon on FXX, the episode where Bart brings Santa's Little Helper to school for show and tell. After the class cheers the dog and Bart, Milhouse claims, "I knew the dog before he came to class!" Beautiful hipster moment from back in 1994, before it was mainstream.

[lelouch]

The Fappening.

[rockmanj]

Ended up getting the Gaara "love" tattoo today and it looks pretty nice. And no, I didn't get it on my forehead.

[Buffalobiian]

Ended up getting the Gaara "love" tattoo today and it looks pretty nice. And no, I didn't get it on my forehead.

Not of forehead? Only other place for it is the asscheek.

[Animeniax]

Watching Batman Begins, noticed the little kid that DA Rachel Dawes helps during the League's attack on Gotham looked familiar. Turns out its Jack Gleeson, our favorite sadistic little motherf*cker of a king from GoT.

[Buffalobiian]

Exams finished for a while so relaxed and learned the 2015 Mazda MX-5 has been revealed, with a starting price of $30 000.

[Archangel]

http://i.imgur.com/b3H40pV.gif

[Buffalobiian]

http://i.imgur.com/b3H40pV.gif

Hah, cute. If that was a certain other female titan though, I'm not sure if I would be laughing.

[shinta|hikari]

It depends how sexy the cosplayer for her would be.

[Animeniax]

Looking out the window from my office, I noticed someone parked his utility truck next to my car in the office parking lot. So I went outside to see if there was anything worth getting upset about. Walked up to the truck, it's parked outside the lines and too close to my car, and the guy is still inside his truck. I keep walking, waiting to hear a thunk when he inevitably opens his door and dings my car, at which point I'd have to talk to him and make a scene. To my surprise, the truck door opens slowly and cautiously and a big burly guy gets out, but he's taking care not to hit my car with his door. He edges his way out past my car and walks off, leaving me flabbergasted, a bit ashamed for assuming, but mostly happy that people can be considerate and courteous. That made me smile.

[Abdula]

That right there is a great example of why you are such a likable individual Ani. You see the truck pull up, you believe that he is going to hit your car with his door but instead of taking some action to prevent this. You go outside, as your post implies, specifically so that you can witness him hitting your car because then you would have to talk to him and make a scene. This is just golden, this is George Constanza level angst. I applaud your honesty.

[Archangel]

Seeing Abdula post made me smile

[Animeniax]

That right there is a great example of why you are such a likable individual Ani. You see the truck pull up, you believe that he is going to hit your car with his door but instead of taking some action to prevent this. You go outside, as your post implies, specifically so that you can witness him hitting your car because then you would have to talk to him and make a scene. This is just golden, this is George Constanza level angst. I applaud your honesty.

No, when I first noticed the truck was parked next to my car, I went outside to see how close he was and whether or not I'd want to move my car. Outside I noticed the truck was indeed parked too close to my car, and that the driver was still in the car. What you're suggesting is that I should have walked up to the driver and asked him to be careful not to ding my car, or to move his truck and park properly in the parking space. That is why you live in a dream world. In the real world that kind of confrontation would only cause more problems, as the truck guy could easily take offense. The way I handled it, I left it up to him if there would be a confrontation, as he did not even notice me walking past and he did not know it was my car next to his truck. As it turns out, I made the best choice, gave the guy a chance to be a good guy, and happily found myself proven wrong (albeit only anecdotally in this one instance) as he showed himself to be a decent human being and considerate of others' property by carefully exiting his vehicle without striking mine. That's the end of the situation, as it should be.

[Abdula]

Ani, if the wording of your post was misleading that is on you.

No, when I first noticed the truck was parked next to my car, I went outside to see how close he was and whether or not I'd want to move my car. Outside I noticed the truck was indeed parked too close to my car, and that the driver was still in the car.

So I did not misunderstand that. You noticed the truck was too close and that the driver was still in the truck. You thought it was very likely that he was going to ding your car but you took no preventive action. Not even simply speaking to him or moving your car.

What you're suggesting is that I should have walked up to the driver and asked him to be careful not to ding my car, or to move his truck and park properly in the parking space. That is why you live in a dream world. In the real world that kind of confrontation would only cause more problems, as the truck guy could easily take offense.
Ah, I see. Someone who was likely to flip out simply because you warned him not to hit your car would also be, as you said, cautious, consider and courteous enough to take steps to avoid hitting your car.


The way I handled it, I left it up to him if there would be a confrontation, as he did not even notice me walking past and he did not know it was my car next to his truck.
This is just funny. You didn't handle it. You did nothing! That is not handling it. It was your prerogative to protect your car but you left that up to him. It is humorous that you mention he did not know that you were even present or that it was your car. Given the situation I would think that making him aware of your presence and indicating that it was your car would have made him cautious of hitting that car. That would have required nothing move that you unlocking, approaching or entering your car.



I keep walking, waiting to hear a thunk when he INEVITABLY opens his door and dings my car, at which point I'd have to talk to him and make a scene. To my surprise, the truck door opens slowly and cautiously and a big burly guy gets out, but he's taking care not to hit my car with his door. He edges his way out past my car and walks off, leaving me flabbergasted, a bit ashamed for assuming, but mostly happy that people can be considerate and courteous. That made me smile.

As it turns out, I made the best choice, gave the guy a chance to be a good guy, and happily found myself proven wrong (albeit only anecdotally in this one instance) as he showed himself to be a decent human being and considerate of others' property by carefully exiting his vehicle without striking mine. That's the end of the situation, as it should be.
Pardon me for reading your posts and coming to the wrong conclusion.


Seeing Abdula post made me smile
Hey Arch. It does feel good to be back.

[Animeniax]

Ani, if the wording of your post was misleading that is on you. With your history on the forums? That's a knee-slapper.


So I did not misunderstand that. You noticed the truck was too close and that the driver was still in the truck. You thought it was very likely that he was going to ding your car but you took no preventive action. Not even simply speaking to him or moving your car.

Ah, I see. Someone who was likely to flip out simply because you warned him not to hit your car would also be, as you said, cautious, consider and courteous enough to take steps to avoid hitting your car. How could I know that he would be cautious and courteous until after the fact? To start he parked his big truck too close to my car.


This is just funny. You didn't handle it. You did nothing! That is not handling it. It was your prerogative to protect your car but you left that up to him. It is humorous that you mention he did not know that you were even present or that it was your car. Given the situation I would think that making him aware of your presence and indicating that it was your car would have made him cautious of hitting that car. That would have required nothing move that you unlocking, approaching or entering your car. Sometimes inaction is the best action. Jumping the gun or jumping to conclusions can get you in much worse situations. As demonstrated here, doing nothing led to the best outcome.


Pardon me for reading your posts and coming to the wrong conclusion.No problem, we're pretty used to it here :p.

[Abdula]

So there still isn't a specific thread for posters to just have at each other and engage in pointless circular arguments for the entertainment of everyone else. That is a shame, it really would have boosted activity and minimized the need to go off topic back when this place was thriving.


With your history on the forums? That's a knee-slapper.
Ah, funny but it does make my point.


How could I know that he would be cautious and courteous until after the fact? To start he parked his big truck too close to my car.
How am I to know. I don't know the guy. Please this is about you, my point was that you assumed he would not be and you were prepping yourself to confront him instead of taking any action that would have made a confrontation unnecessary. At best you seem passive aggressive.


Sometimes inaction is the best action. Jumping the gun or jumping to conclusions can get you in much worse situations. As demonstrated here, doing nothing led to the best outcome.

Indeed, now if only you had not used terms like inevitably, flabbergasted (who uses that anymore) and ashamed for assuming. Proving that you had already jumped to a conclusion.


No problem, we're pretty used to it here :p.Hardy har har, can't break kayfabe.

[Kraco]

instead of taking any action that would have made a confrontation unnecessary. At best you seem passive aggressive.

To be fair, Ani's intentions aside, as soon as he walked in front of the cars, he had already done probably enough. Some crazed fellow might still throw the door open heedlessly denting the neighbouring car, but I'd guess most people, upon noticing there's somebody watching, would pay extra attention and be more careful. Who knows, without Ani walking there, trying his best to look like an innocent bystander (but obviously failing), the man could have been more careless. After all, he was careless enough to park outside of the lines.

[Animeniax]

To be fair, Ani's intentions aside, as soon as he walked in front of the cars, he had already done probably enough. Some crazed fellow might still throw the door open heedlessly denting the neighbouring car, but I'd guess most people, upon noticing there's somebody watching, would pay extra attention and be more careful. Who knows, without Ani walking there, trying his best to look like an innocent bystander (but obviously failing), the man could have been more careless. After all, he was careless enough to park outside of the lines.

Actually I think he didn't notice I was passing by, which makes it all the more commendable that he acted considerately even when he felt no one was looking. That was why I was happy with how the situation turned out... at least until Abdula tried to play psychiatrist :D.

[Abdula]

For the record, I was not attempting to play psychiatrist. Kraco hit the nail on the head. In most cases you simply had to let yourself be seen and that would have probably been enough. You left your office to check your car and see if there was any damage. You realized that the driver was still in the vehicle and you just waited around to see if he would hit your car. You lost me right there. It seemed like you were being proactive and then for no apparent reason you just decided to wait and see, which just makes no sense to me.

If the guy indeed did not see you as you believe, and as Kraco said, had heedlessly jumped out of the truck paying no attention to his surroundings and had damaged your car. Then your post would have been in the bitching thread and I would have laughed at it.

[Buffalobiian]

Action-wise, I would have done the same as Ani. This is from my inherent desire to reduce responsibility for myself - if he doesn't dint my car then I didn't commit to any accusations - if he did, then he's at fault when I approach him.

I do not hold the same ideas of "inevitability" though, so I see where Abdula is coming from. He's basically saying that Ani seemed like he was "camping" the guy for his move as opposed to simply observing. My interpretation of Abdula is that "If you expect the guy to hit your car, take appropriate action to stop him."

[Ryllharu]

Action-wise, I would have done the same as Ani. This is from my inherent desire to reduce responsibility for myself - if he doesn't dint my car then I didn't commit to any accusations - if he did, then he's at fault when I approach him.

But your body kits aren't even painted!
:D

[Kraco]

Action-wise, I would have done the same as Ani.

Action wise, I'd have gone to my car, acting as if I was retrieving something from there. Like I said before, only a clinical fool would carelessly open his door hitting the next car if somebody was clearly there to witness the incident, especially if the somebody was the owner of the victim car. The most important thing would be to prevent any incident from happening in the first place, not catch the culprit. That's why I said Ani did enough. Nobody knows if the person had done anything wrong even without him being there, but I think a driver sitting in a car pays attention to the outside instinctively, and he likely notice Ani even if Ani feels like he didn't. Which was enough.

[Animeniax]

Playing Destiny, started the day with no real legendary or exotic eq (except the faction class banner). Now I have 2 pieces of exotic eq and 2 pieces of legendary eq (plus the faction class banner). I also seem to have hit a switch in my performance in PvP, routinely getting more kills than deaths in a round. Just earlier this week I was dying 3x as many times as scoring kills each game. Small things but they made me smile.

[Animeniax]

Hulk-smashed another PS3 controller last night out of anger and frustration at Destiny PvP, now the L stick is wonky. There was a bit of lag but I had also just gone for a HIIT run so I was tired, it was late, and my reaction times were a little off. I need to learn to step away from games when I'm tired, as it affects my performance and ends up with broken controllers. But I smiled this morning because I found I still have the last controller where I broke the R1 and R2 buttons via hulk-smash. Between the two I should be able to get one good working controller.

[Buffalobiian]

I need to learn to step away from games when I'm tired

You need to learn to stop breaking your own property.

[Animeniax]

You need to learn to stop breaking your own property.

Simpler said than done, and it is a good outlet because I feel immediate shame and disappointment in myself that lasts a while and keeps me grounded. It's like a psychiatrist visit for $45. Which kinda sucks, PS3 controllers now cost $45. Last year they cost $40.

[Buffalobiian]

Do you do this when you play on other people's consoles?

[shinta|hikari]

I've thrown a friend's controller down before. I didn't break it though.

I once punched my CRT TV after losing to Akuma's cheapshot in SF too many times. It flew back and hit the wall. But it was undamaged.

I once broke my car's windshield when I jabbed it because I disliked a haircut I got.

I've stopped hitting things as much in recent years. I've learned to control, or rather, detach myself from such emotions and impulses. That made me smile (in a sinister, psychopathic way).

[Animeniax]

Do you do this when you play on other people's consoles?

Of course not. I don't get in the same super-focused mindset when playing games with others. When I'm hunkered down to play solo, I get very competitive and into it, and hence very outraged when the computer cheats or the controller doesn't do what I asked it to.


I've thrown a friend's controller down before. I didn't break it though.

I once punched my CRT TV after losing to Akuma's cheapshot in SF too many times. It flew back and hit the wall. But it was undamaged.

I once broke my car's windshield when I jabbed it because I disliked a haircut I got.

I've stopped hitting things as much in recent years. I've learned to control, or rather, detach myself from such emotions and impulses. That made me smile (in a sinister, psychopathic way).Each time I break something in a fit of rage (it's relatively rare, only seems to happen when I'm playing video games) I feel that shame and remorse and it keeps me from doing it again for a while. It's not an issue of control for me, just means I'm alive and well.

[Buffalobiian]

I see. Well that's good at least. I enjoy my possessions more than my games, so your willingly breaking them is unfathomable to me.

[shinta|hikari]

Rather than willingly, it seems he has no choice. It was in a fit of rage, after all. He's just saying that he's fine even if he does end up breaking it because it prevents him from doing so for a while.

[Animeniax]

Yeah it's not willing at all. I catch myself all the time just before I throw the controller at the TV. But my nice coffee table has some paint taken off where controllers felt my anger.

[Buffalobiian]

I say "willingly" because Animeniax allows it to happen but does not take adequate steps to prevent it from happening. If it's not leading him to financial or social ruin then there's no pressing reason for him to change though.

[Animeniax]

Well the frustration of trying to repair a controller might be enough to force me to change (probably not). Just spent the last 2 hours taking apart the two busted controllers hoping to mix and match parts to get one working. Apparently Sony changed the components inside the controller within the last year, as the PCB is different, the plastic channels and supports inside the controller are different, and the internals from the newer controller won't fit in the chassis of the older one. So for now I'm back to one sorta working controller which I'l have to take apart again because the trigger buttons aren't properly seated.

[darkshadow]

Hilarious how people want to break things because of a fucking videogame; stop playing, you fucking masochists.

[Xelbair]

Hilarious how people want to break things because of a fucking videogame; stop playing, you fucking masochists.
^ this


If you get so mad at virtual experience that you have to break something - please do not play video games, or any other games for that matter.
It is virtual, learn to distance yourself from this - you get mad? stop playing or pick other game. being mad is fun? go visit the doctor.

[Buffalobiian]

I do get mad when people stuff around in a competitive counterstrike match though. I'm more easy these days and just accept it, but prior I did get pretty pissed. I couldn't take it and teamkilled him during the final round.

I think it's okay to get mad. Breaking things can be okay. Recognising that breaking things is damaging your finances or relationships, yet unable to stop oneself from doing so is NOT okay.

[Kraco]

being mad is fun? go visit the doctor.

I don't know about Poland but over here we have no end of people who must enjoy being mad. I don't know why they would otherwise be so quick to take everything personally and consequently get angry.

[Animeniax]

It's not the game I'm mad at so much as my own lack of skill, mistakes I make, lag, poor game coding, etc. Taking out my frustration on my own equipment means I pay the price, which is a punishment in ways for previous said lack of skill, mistakes, etc.

[Ryllharu]

Getting all my errands done within 2 hours and managing to pack all the purchases into my sub-compact car, including a 6 foot iron shepard's crook.

Now I can enjoy the rest of my three day weekend without having to leave the house.

[Edort4]

I have never been one to break things when mad but I remember in the old days of quake3 and CS when I started multiplaying that I could swear like a sailor for hours. To the point my parents told me I was stressing them. Looking back I think that it was the way I had to vent frustation that I had in my daily life with studies, relationships and so. With time you learn both self control and to "not give a fuck".

Nowadays I mostly laugh in desperation when something "cheesy" happens while playing. For example lately I play a lot to EU4 and when you are playing in ironman or multiplayer, really focused and trying hard, some of the most "strange" things happen and cant help but laugh out loud. Something that caused me anger years ago now its funny and even livens me up.

[Xelbair]

Thing is - games are supposed to be FUN. if they make you rage so hard that you are breaking stuff - stop playing.

[Edort4]

That statement its true but I also feel that its an oversimplification. If we understand fun as playful pleasure I believe that it fells short. There are many kind of games. Games that make you think, others that make you feel "fear" or tension, games that give you adrenaline rushes, games that make you laugh, and even games that become a "work" ( profesional sports, e-sports) etc.

You dont watch/play dramas or horror movies/games cause they are "fun". Nor because they give you a nice fun pleasure (usually) but because they give you some kind of meaning, sense of fullfilment, a learning experience or a sense of being alive after all that tension and scares.

But honestly I dont think rage should be a feeling you should get from games or entertainment in general. In that I agree. But actually sometimes feeling hate or indignation/anger can make your "engine" move. I feel that those kind of feelings are a good fuel, they can become a creative/action force and the limit between those and rage is kind of blur. So I wouldnt criminalize it unless it affects other ppl in a harmful way.

[Animeniax]

Competitive multiplayer games can be both fun and very rage-inducing. I'm more of a PC gamer for FPS games, so playing on console adds to the frustration because it is a very different experience. When you're used to pwning at these games, it's hard to take it when you routinely score 6-14 and 0.4 KDR. But gameplay can also make you upset, which is why I never played Dark Souls.


Getting all my errands done within 2 hours and managing to pack all the purchases into my sub-compact car, including a 6 foot iron shepard's crook.

Now I can enjoy the rest of my three day weekend without having to leave the house.You get Columbus day off? Must be nice.

I fit 3 8-ft 2x4s into my compact car, and was happy until I noticed I had damaged the tint on the rear window. Silly thing is that I also have a pickup truck.

[Animeniax]

For those who don't believe in karma and the universe watching: I couldn't log into PSN this morning to play some Destiny. Tried repeatedly for 20 minutes before it finally started downloading some updates and then let me log in. So I leave the office for a minute while it finishes updating, walk about 10 feet into the lobby and look up to see my boss walking towards me. He normally works out of HQ and rarely visits our branch. If PSN had been working normally this morning, instead of greeting my boss in the lobby and diverting him to another office, he'd have walked into my office while I was playing a video game. Weird how the universe works.

[KrayZ33]

disgusting,

poor co-workers
do what you are paid for and work or help others.

[shinta|hikari]

Are you being paid to help others? I was under the impression that you're being paid to do your job. If that's done, then what's the problem?

[KrayZ33]

ask your boss then?
if thats the case, why hide playing console in the first place?


That being said, it should be everyones job to help each other too as long as you are able to do so in a reasonable manner

[shinta|hikari]

That being said, it should be everyones job to help each other too as long as you are able to do so in a reasonable manner

I don't agree with this. It's like making someone work harder for being more competent than his colleagues. I'm not against helping if someone asks, but this is not an obligation.

[Animeniax]

disgusting,

poor co-workers
do what you are paid for and work or help others.
Nah, I work alone. And like Shinta said, since my job is done (and well at that, I recently received an award for my performance) I have no qualms about how I spend my time.

[MFauli]

If you have to feel scared about your boss walking in on you playing vidyagames, maybe you should re-think your stance.

[shinta|hikari]

I think bosses would mind if their employees are playing anything during work hours, regardless of the circumstances. It makes no sense, but that's how they think. They don't understand that people simply run out of work sometimes.

[Buffalobiian]

In my field, running out of work means self study time. :(

[shinta|hikari]

That's because you are/will be getting the big bucks.

I don't even get enough to stop pirating stuff.

[Animeniax]

I think bosses would mind if their employees are playing anything during work hours, regardless of the circumstances. It makes no sense, but that's how they think. They don't understand that people simply run out of work sometimes.

This right here. In my experience, bosses don't care what you do with your free time as long as they don't have to talk to you about it (because someone complained about it directly) and it doesn't interfere with your work. One boss at a previous job told us up-front that she considered sleeping and playing video games the two absolute no-nos at work. So people spent their free time watching movies and finding other ways to pass the time.


In my field, running out of work means self study time. :(

A few of my colleagues are in that boat, spending their free time at work earning their bachelor's degrees or master's. I already have a bachelor's and don't care to pursue a master's at this point in my life, so video games it is.

[EpyonNext]

I got my motherfucking DD-214 today bitches. You hear that? I'm free. I CAN DO WHATEVER THE FUCK I WANT, WHENEVER THE FUCK I WANT. NO MORE FORMATIONS AT 0500 IN THE FUCKING MORNING, NO MORE MAKING SURE A GROWN ASS MAN KEEPS HIS ROOM CLEAN. IT'S OVER, MR. FRODO. THE RING HAS BEEN TOSSED IN THE FIRES OF MT FUCKING DOOM.

[Animeniax]

Congrats. Veteran status will help you find work in the civilian sector. But did you not realize that nonsense was the majority of what you'd be doing when you signed up?

[Death BOO Z]

congrats! enjoy the feeling of freedom!

[Animeniax]

Bought a ticket on short notice on Expedia.com, but wasn't worried because it says "you can cancel within 24 hours of booking" right before you confirm the purchase. Then I bought a second ticket withoutcancelling the first trip because of the "1 ticket left at this price" warning on all the available flights at a reasonable price so I had to act fast. I go back to cancel the first ticket, there is no option to do so online and everywhere on the ticket email and the Expedia website says the ticket is nonrefundable and you can't cancel it, despite the fact that Expedia says you can cancel within 24 hours using the website. Kept reading and find some fine print that some airlines won't allow cancellations but you might be able to change the flights for an additional $150-250 fee. Kept reading and find that the airlines involved in this ticket don't allow any cancellations or changes to this ticket at all. So I think I'm out of luck and out $500. I call Expedia, on hold for 20+ minutes because of call volume, listening to constant recorded reminders that Expedia can't cancel tickets or go against airline rules or waive fees, so my chances of getting a refund are sounding pretty slim.

Smiling now because the Expedia agent gave me no hassles, she cancelled the trip, refunded the cost of the flights, and everything is great. So don't let the policies and fees listed on the website scare you out of your rights. Call them, explore every option, talk to someone, and it might save your day.

[Buffalobiian]

Good for you.

In general I dislike the principle that talking to someone gets you out of conditions clearly stated in writing though. It penalises those who take the time to read and supports the idea that if you make more noise you get what you want.

This isn't a passive aggressive rant towards you Ani. In your position you should exploit what you've got (as your face permits). This may explain their call volume as well.

[Animeniax]

Good for you.

In general I dislike the principle that talking to someone gets you out of conditions clearly stated in writing though. It penalises those who take the time to read and supports the idea that if you make more noise you get what you want.

This isn't a passive aggressive rant towards you Ani. In your position you should exploit what you've got (as your face permits). This may explain their call volume as well.

Normally I agree (I think I've stated that before too) but I think this case was different, and not just because it concerns airlines and their ridiculous fees and surcharges. It clearly stated on the website that you can cancel your booking within 24 hours. I don't recall any asterisks or other disclaimers suggesting this didn't apply to all bookings, unless that was hidden in fine print.

Reading the website rules also convinces most that there is no recourse and no options for remedies, which is misleading. Expedia goes so far as to dump all responsibility on the airlines for change fees, basically suggesting that it's not worth the time or effort to contact them but rather the airlines themselves. Yet a simple phone call to Expedia within the allowed change time was all it took to cancel the flight and get a full refund. The fact that the agent gave me zero hassle or didn't try to dissuade me from asking for a cancellation tells me this is kind of a scam on their part that penalizes those who won't go the extra mile to fight for their rights. If it was outside the 24 hour time limit for cancellations, I'd agree that it's the customer's fault and Expedia is absolved of responsibility. But then I think the airlines shouldn't be so draconian in their handling of changes to tickets. Why make a ticket nonrefundable or not changeable or nontransferable, and why charge such high fees for changes? Does it upset their scheduling and planning so much to make that change? That's what they claim, but it's bs. I can't wait until travel by teleportation is a thing, but then some capitalists will find a way to monetize that and charge us for it.

[Kraco]

I imagine it must have helped your case a lot that you still had the other flight you bought. So, you were in practice exchanging one flight for another, not cancelling the whole deal.

[Animeniax]

I imagine it must have helped your case a lot that you still had the other flight you bought. So, you were in practice exchanging one flight for another, not cancelling the whole deal.

Perhaps. I wonder though that the airlines care as long as they can dupe customers out of money with unreasonable policies and fees or even blatant false advertising on the Expedia site. I really think if it was outside the 24 hour window guaranteed by Expedia, I would have been saddled with both tickets even though they fall on concurrent days. Since I was in the 24 hour window, even though the website claimed I was out of luck, I was still able to get the tickets refunded.

[Assertn]

Booked a flight to japan with a friend. Going for 3 weeks in April. Should be fun.

[Sapphire]

Booked a flight to japan with a friend. Going for 3 weeks in April. Should be fun.

Good for you! Where are you going?

Make sure not to tell them you're a drug dealer at the border.

[shinta|hikari]

Why not? If you offer them a few ounces they might even let you carry it on.

[Animeniax]

Booked a flight to japan with a friend. Going for 3 weeks in April. Should be fun.

I almost bought a ticket to Japan for spring break instead of where I ended up deciding to go. Tickets are pretty cheap, cheaper still since you're flying from CA. And with the current exchange rate it'll be an even better savings in country. Your first time going?

[Death BOO Z]

do you have a plan for the trip?

[LaZie]

I had jury duty today. Went and sat down in the waiting room for 20 minutes to find out that they don't need any jurors today and we are all excused for 1 year. Winning! :cool:

[Kraco]

That there's not a single cloud in sight now during the solar eclipse. Perfect!

[Ryllharu]

I'm super jealous. Doesn't seem like North America gets a lot of these.

I remember seeing one partial annual eclipse when I was in about 3rd grade.

[woofcat]

Woofcat [~pi@woof.cat] has joined #gotwoot

That made me smile today.

[Lucifus]

The above post made me smile today.

[Buffalobiian]

http://i.imgur.com/quED9uv.jpg

When I run out of mousepad, I don't smile. So I buy more mousepad. Now I smile.

[Xelbair]

is that... razer mice?
xel is dissapoint.

[shinta|hikari]

Are those... tissues in the bin?

shinta is not dissapoint.

[Kraco]

Look at the size of that thing! That's no mousepad, it's a carpet!

[Buffalobiian]

What's wrong with Razer?

[Animeniax]

Look at the size of that thing! That's no mousepad, it's a carpet!

Is this a Star Wars reference or have I just been watching too many geek shows that reference too many geek movies?

[Death BOO Z]

it's a great idea for a mouse pad.
+1 to the creativity score.

[shinta|hikari]

I just informed my subordinates that they need to work through the holiday weekend. They got all serious and sad.

Then April Fools!

[Ryllharu]

The news that ARIA is getting a complete Blu-ray release to coincide with Avvenire.

[Assertn]

You know, it's true money doesn't buy happiness, but it definitely has its perks. So I haven't actually made any realized working income since... October (?), and of course, my bills are still $2000+ per month living in LA and all. I've mostly just been coasting, playing video games, and working on my own projects. About to head on a 3 week trip to Japan with some friends, then after that probably buckling down and finding some more steady work. I decided to log into my money center app, since I haven't done ANYTHING financially with my accounts for a while to see what the damages were.

Yeah... apparently my net worth has gone up 13% since then. WTF?

[Buffalobiian]

I'd normally say "good work", except you didn't work. :p

It's all unrealised right?

[Ryllharu]

Isn't the adage to invest wisely and not fuss over it for a while?

When you move stuff you lose more.

[Assertn]

Yeah, the majority of my gains are in retirement accounts I can't withdrawal from for a long time anyway, but still nice to see, regardless

[Animeniax]

While it's always nice to see your net worth go up, it's a bit foolhardy to count retirement account fluctuations toward your current financial situation, especially if those accounts are invested in the broad market where they will increase and decrease in value at the whim of the stock market. If you touch that money now, the penalty will more than offset any gains, as I'm sure you know.

Visa stock recently split 1 for 4.

[Assertn]

Of course, but as far as liquid or near-liquid assets go, I have enough to last 5 years or so at my current burn rate provided I have zero income whatsoever. I'm not too concerned about that.

My biggest gainers are:
UNH (bought in 2008 and 2009)
AAPL (bought in 2008 and 2013)
IPGP (bought in 2009. This one is up 720% for me. Too bad I didn't put a lot of money into it.)

[Animeniax]

Do you count typical stocks as near liquid? I tend not to since I see those investments as long term and to be sold only if necessary to stay solvent.

I lived that way when I went back to college, looking at how long I could support myself while making little to no money and living off savings. It sucks watching your savings dwindle.

[Edort4]

These have been good years to be in the stock markets. I was affraid that the excess liquidity and various QE wouldnt last forever so I didnt commit to it and now I regret it.

[Animeniax]

True, hindsight is 20/20 though. There was too much perceived volatility in the markets and people were more cautious with their money. If you took the risk, you got rewarded, but it was quite a risk given the economic climate. Most of my investments were made in the years before the recession and they are blossoming now, but all unrealized.

[MFauli]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQ39fImCKz8

It´s like finally a developer took a look inside my brain and then turned it into a real game. Just fantastic. The most ambitious game that´s currently announced. Lol@Witcher 3.

[Buffalobiian]

Too bad it's on Wii U (which I don't have). Sawano Hiroyuki works his magic again.

[Animeniax]

Too bad it's on Wii U (which I don't have). Sawano Hiroyuki works his magic again.

Do you not think the game (and others on the platform) is worth the cost of a Wii U? In the grand scheme of things, the cost of the console won't hurt your finances and you'll get to play some awesome games.

Don't mind me though. I plan to get the Xbox One so I can play Halo 5 and Rise of the Tomb Raider. I'm trying to justify also getting a PS4 when Uncharted 4 comes out. I think the cost of the two consoles will be worth it to enjoy these 3 games and others in the next few years. I skrimp and save so much but really for what? Might as well enjoy some of it instead of saving it all. You can't take it with you after all.