Rant VIII: The Reckoning

FTFY.

Also, you can probably take it someplace to recover the data, though I've no idea what the cost on that is.
No porn, actually. I just stream mine.

I'll bring it to my brother in law tomorrow and hope for the best. Still pissed. I'll probably have to buy a new one.
 
POINTLESS POP CULTURE RANT YO!

Did they have to change ALL I'd the characters designs in the "Cyborg 009" ? Jet Link looks weird without a pointy nose.
 

Dave

Staff member
My internet is going in and out. One time I'll check it and I'm getting 20 Mbps another and I'm getting - and this was a real test - 0.19 Mbps. Called my provider and they said they wouldn't be able to be out until Friday. But I'll be out of town until Tuesday. So they said okay, then Tuesday or Wednesday it is!

So I guess I'm going in to the office tomorrow instead of working from home.
 

Dave

Staff member
Went to the cable company and switched out my modem. Now I'm back to 118 Mbps but my phones don't work. *sigh*
 
I can't wait until I get my laptop fixed, I am a keyboard man. And sure I can get one of those iPad keyboards but do I really need another plastic object cluttering up my space? Got enough clutter as it is.

Also I can't watch/play any flash on this thing, which I get because Adobe is pure annoyance personified, bit until every old flash file on the net is converted to html5, a process so damned tedious that no one will do it I will wait until my laptop is working. Plus what's my alternative , YouTube versions of old flash? Basically the Internet equivalent of a VHS tape on an HD . I could get a new standard def, but once again clutter.
 
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Dave

Staff member
Plug the phone back into the right socket?
I mean, try the easiest stuff first, right?

--Patrick
There are two holes for the phone in the back of the modem. I have tried both to no avail. I seriously think it's because of the crappy wiring job, which I've always thought was going to break at one time or another.
 
There are two holes for the phone in the back of the modem. I have tried both to no avail. I seriously think it's because of the crappy wiring job, which I've always thought was going to break at one time or another.
So many people throw their RJ11 into one of the RJ45's and then wonder why it doesn't work.

--Patrick
 

fade

Staff member
It's the kind of thing that would turn your floppy disk into a hard drive. That makes you start your input/output at 100 baud, than ramp it up to 56k, followed by a packet burst. So hot it needs a heat sink.
 
It's the kind of thing that would turn your 3-1/2" floppy into an 8" hard drive. That makes you start your input/output with a 110 baud handshake, th[e]n fall forward and back until your data pump is running at a full 56k, followed by a packet burst ATH0. So hot it needs a liquid-cooled heat sink.
A good effort, I give it a C+. I would've given you a B- if you hadn't blown "then" and 110 baud.

--Patrick
 
FML. My wrist sprain from November has been acting up and bruising from the inside out. I went to the walk in clinic and fell on the same wrist on the way in. Did I say FML?
 
Had a big fight with my father on the way home from work tonight. I was complaining that the shifts they gave me for next week were later than what I put down for my availability. One of the things that I asked for was regular, consistent day shifts. I do this for my mental health in order to have some semblance of consistency and maybe a routine. Which are both things that helps many people with depression. Certainly me.

Of course, Dad having no tact and seemingly ALWAYS saying the wrong thing, says that's bullshit and I just don't want to work later or night shifts. And then continued on to say that I'll never find a job that isn't shift work and I certainly won't find one that will give me all day shifts.

I'm so fucking sick of him. He's a constant, ongoing barrage of negativity and criticism. Do you know, I was seeing a counselor recently who was always saying something positive or trying to spin things I was saying in a positive light? I'm so used to negativity and criticism that it felt so wrong and off-putting. Not to mention the fact that Dad's name is on my bank account, which he constantly monitors and asks me about whatever I'm spending. Or if I've paid this bill or that bill. Or badgering me about money. Money money money. That's all he ever talks to me about. Student loans, credit cards, tax returns. Anything with money. God forbid he try talking to son about ANYTHING else.

He's never even bothered to take the time to TRY understanding my mental health. When I was in the hospital back in 2000, after my major suicide attempt, a doctor had a meeting with my parents and my sister. The doctor pulled a book down from the shelf and tried handed it to Dad and said, "This will help you understand what your son is going through."

Dad's reaction? He literally turned his nose at it and said, "Oh, I don't read books." Except, you know, any book that has to do with tennis or sports. Because who fucking cares that your son almost threw himself off a bridge, right?
 

Dave

Staff member
May I ask why he's on your account? I feel for you on the negativity, though. Those kind of people just drag you down.
 
Had a big fight with my father on the way home from work tonight. I was complaining that the shifts they gave me for next week were later than what I put down for my availability. One of the things that I asked for was regular, consistent day shifts. I do this for my mental health in order to have some semblance of consistency and maybe a routine. Which are both things that helps many people with depression. Certainly me.

Of course, Dad having no tact and seemingly ALWAYS saying the wrong thing, says that's bullshit and I just don't want to work later or night shifts. And then continued on to say that I'll never find a job that isn't shift work and I certainly won't find one that will give me all day shifts.

I'm so fucking sick of him. He's a constant, ongoing barrage of negativity and criticism. Do you know, I was seeing a counselor recently who was always saying something positive or trying to spin things I was saying in a positive light? I'm so used to negativity and criticism that it felt so wrong and off-putting. Not to mention the fact that Dad's name is on my bank account, which he constantly monitors and asks me about whatever I'm spending. Or if I've paid this bill or that bill. Or badgering me about money. Money money money. That's all he ever talks to me about. Student loans, credit cards, tax returns. Anything with money. God forbid he try talking to son about ANYTHING else.

He's never even bothered to take the time to TRY understanding my mental health. When I was in the hospital back in 2000, after my major suicide attempt, a doctor had a meeting with my parents and my sister. The doctor pulled a book down from the shelf and tried handed it to Dad and said, "This will help you understand what your son is going through."

Dad's reaction? He literally turned his nose at it and said, "Oh, I don't read books." Except, you know, any book that has to do with tennis or sports. Because who fucking cares that your son almost threw himself off a bridge, right?
I'll try to play Devil's Advocate, since I can be a raging caveman jackass like your dad.

Let me guess? He's a baby boomer? That's the mindset of a typical boomer. "You got a job, be lucky you got one, and do exactly what they tell you despite treating you like shit." My dad is under the impression that because my job involves office and lab work, that it's relatively easy, compared to his previous employ of manual labor and running a business. Believe me, I'm right there with you when you say it gets fucking annoying. I've set my foot down years ago in regards to this and many other things. I think it's an important step in growing up. It wasn't pretty, but my dad finally got it - I'm no longer a little boy and I can take care of my own.

I get where he's coming from (sort of), and I understand where you're coming from. He wants you to be a dedicated employee (I'm guessing), so you do well at your current job. My dad (a boomer) always told me to keep complaints about work to one's self or to a confidant. It's an old school way to look at work. It sucks that your old man can't be that confidant, but as you describe he seems kinda gruff. Gruff dudes don't care for complaints.

He seems to be the financial head of his household. I think you need to break ties with him and become the master of your own money. That'll both shut him the hell up and impress him. Maybe come up with a financial plan for yourself and get some advice from him?

I can't make any suggestions about the last part with the book, except that despite my outward bluntness and being a pretty strict kind of parent, I still love my kids. I'm sure he loves you too. I think he might be hard on you because he's trying to make you a better man. I know I tend to be hard on my sons sometimes, but personally I'm more new school than my dad so I do open up more.

Or he could be a complete asshole. I don't know. I'm trying to spin a positive out of what you're saying about him. ;)
 
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I'm trying to spin a positive out of what you're saying about him. ;)


But you're right on a lot of it. He is a baby boomer. He just turned 80 this year. He's old school. And scary enough, he's actually not as bad as he USED to be. Be just because he's a gruff baby boomer who thinks only of money (largely because he worked in a bank for 20+ years), that shouldn't excuse his total asshattery. Not saying that you're excusing it, but you know what I mean. I'm tired of his constant negativity. I'm tired of his constant criticism. I'm tired of his constant nosy meddling in shit, like my bank account.

In fact, as far as the latter goes, I'm going to the bank tomorrow and closing the joint account I have now and opening my own. Should've done it a LONG time ago.
 
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Negativity and criticism is part of life, man. I know you've got depression issues, and I'm certainly no shrink, but I think learning how to deal with that shit instead of ignoring it or avoiding it is what makes you appreciate the positive and good aspects of life. And I'm not singling you out or anything, I'm just not a fan of the "surround myself with only positive people crap". Why? Because critical and negative people will always exist, and if you wrap a bubble around yourself, it'll hurt all the more when it pops. My philosophy is to temper oneself, that way garbage negativity -like your dad being critical about complaining over work shifts- just rolls off your back.

I think if you put your foot down on some things (like your finances), your dad will start respecting you as a man and an equal. As far as your depression goes, he might never accept it (or live in denial about it). Whatever though, that's his problem and his loss as a vehicle to bond with his son. Don't let bullshit like that drag you down. Like I said, it sucks that he can't be a confidant for you, but that's why friends and significant others exist! He's your dad. You should love him and respect him, but that doesn't mean he needs to be your best friend. I hope that helps ease off some of your anger towards him.

Oh and funny enough, a great website for financial advice and personal finance is Art of Manliness. I've picked up some great shit from articles there.
 
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Negativity and criticism is part of life, man. I know you've got depression issues, and I'm certainly no shrink, but I think learning how to deal with that shit instead of ignoring it or avoiding it is what makes you appreciate the positive and good aspects of life. And I'm not singling you out or anything, I'm just not a fan of the "surround myself with only positive people crap". Why? Because critical and negative people will always exist, and if you wrap a bubble around yourself, it'll hurt all the more when it pops. My philosophy is to temper oneself, that way garbage negativity -like your dad being critical about complaining over work shifts- just rolls off your back.

I think if you put your foot down on some things (like your finances), your dad will start respecting you as a man and an equal. As far as your depression goes, he might never accept it (or live in denial about it). Whatever though, that's his problem and his loss as a vehicle to bond with his son. Don't let bullshit like that drag you down. Like I said, it sucks that he can't be a confidant for you, but that's why friends and significant others exist! He's your dad. You should love him and respect him, but that doesn't mean he needs to be your best friend. I hope that helps ease off some of your anger towards him.

Oh and funny enough, a great website for financial advice and personal finance is Art of Manliness. I've picked up some great shit from articles there.
That'd be fine if either of my parents - who I sadly live with at the moment - would balance out the negativity and criticism with at least SOME positivity. But all I hear from them. Not just to me. To everyone. To themselves. Fun fact: the only reason my parents don't divorce is because they wouldn't be able to financially support themselves apart. They sleep in different bedrooms and any tiny thing means they snap at each other. That's the environment I've lived in all my life (minus the years I didn't live with them).

I'm fine with criticism. Probably too fine. I'm too critical of myself on everything and assume the worst for myself. Ironically, I think the best of everyone else and can look at the bright side or brighten other people's moods. But because I hear criticism and negativity day in and day out, that's all my brain is wired to hear now. Probably why when, say, someone gives me feedback on my creative work, like my novel, I reread the positive stuff over and over until a small part of me might believe it. Most times, I still don't.

As for putting my foot down on things? Even though I'm doing the bank account thing partly out of spite now, I know it's not going to accomplish anything but his ire. He - and my mother - take any kind of criticism way too personally to the point that I can't say anything critical to them (and yet, that's okay for them to do to me). And he's a huge fucking control freak. So he'll probably blow a gasket over this, too.
 
That'd be fine if either of my parents - who I sadly live with at the moment - would balance out the negativity and criticism with at least SOME positivity. But all I hear from them. Not just to me. To everyone. To themselves. Fun fact: the only reason my parents don't divorce is because they wouldn't be able to financially support themselves apart. They sleep in different bedrooms and any tiny thing means they snap at each other. That's the environment I've lived in all my life (minus the years I didn't live with them).

I'm fine with criticism. Probably too fine. I'm too critical of myself on everything and assume the worst for myself. Ironically, I think the best of everyone else and can look at the bright side or brighten other people's moods. But because I hear criticism and negativity day in and day out, that's all my brain is wired to hear now. Probably why when, say, someone gives me feedback on my creative work, like my novel, I reread the positive stuff over and over until a small part of me might believe it. Most times, I still don't.

As for putting my foot down on things? Even though I'm doing the bank account thing partly out of spite now, I know it's not going to accomplish anything but his ire. He - and my mother - take any kind of criticism way too personally to the point that I can't say anything critical to them (and yet, that's okay for them to do to me). And he's a huge fucking control freak. So he'll probably blow a gasket over this, too.
Damnit Nick, stop being an exact replica of my own situation.
 
A

Anonymous

Anonymous

Getting a weird scabby thing on my arm looked at. Skin cancer runs in my family. Fuck.
 

Dave

Staff member
Do you want me to pull the plug and pirate all my shows? Because this is how you get me to.

http://www.omaha.com/money/wowt-is-...cle_e98b8df8-9687-11e4-8327-c33a48e28689.html

Our local cable company has dropped our NBC affiliate from their lineup. Each blames the other, of course, but it's the end user who gets screwed. So if there's a show my wife wants I'm just going to download it and she'll watch it on Plex. Won't work for the NFL game this Saturday, but it's the Pats/Ravens so I don't care that much.
 
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