Get Your Grump on Thursdays - Was (What's chapping my @ss today?)

[NYCfixie]

My job is still sucking my will to live.

Hired July 2015.
Direct Supervisor who hired me left July 2016. Not crazy about new person in that position.
CEO who hired me said he is leaving June 2017. Not crazy about candidates for this role.

I believe I need to stay until at least June 2017 which is only 2 years at this job because I fear less would be bad for my resume and career.


Not sure I can take the "suck" for several more months.

Calgon, take me away!

[robin3mj]

While better and better bike lights are undoubtedly a good thing for riding in traffic, one major drawback is that the bike light arms race is getting a little ridiculous on the bike paths. I have about a 5 mile ride on the CCT in DC/MD, against the flow of traffic.

Thus, I see probably 25+ cyclists coming the other way for every one that they encounter. My night rides home are a constant stream of searchlight quality beams shining directly in my face, with the occasional idiot running theirs on blink mode for no reason whatsoever. This is a bad thing, because I cannot see joggers/walkers in my lane half the time, shielding my eyes as I must. The best solution I’ve found is to run my handlebar light on low and aimed very sharply downward (to see any obstacles at the last minute), and my helmet light on high and aimed way down the path- alternating between a quick peek as far ahead as possible, and an awkward tilt of my head down/right to avoid blinding the oncoming traffic.

You really don’t need much light to see in the dark, on a bike/ped path- it’d behoove the bike light makers to include a courteous level low beam that would also serve to allow them to advertise longer battery charges at that level.

[Chad]

Yes, ^^^^, that. I've had trouble with them blinding me while I'm in my car. Just aim them down!!!! I flash the brights as I would with another car, hope they can make the connection.

[NFazzio]

Why are there 1in gaps in all public restroom stalls in the US? No freaking privacy.

[davids]

Cyclists are assholes.

I was driving home last night around 9pm. I had stopped for a light at a five-way intersection in my neighborhood. As I waited for my green, I was watching 4 pedestrians at the corner to my right, the bus at the curb just behind me, and the two-way traffic on the street with the green light.

When my light turned green I went, watching the walkers, bus and stopping cars. But not the fifth street, entering at an obtuse angle from my left. A cyclist came from that direction at the same time I got the green, through a red light and directly across my path in the intersection. I didn't come close to endangering him, but I hadn't seen him until he was in front of me.

I was surprised and, when I also noticed he was riding without lights, I decided to say something to him. So I rolled down my window and calmly said, "I nearly hit you!" To which he yelled, "Oh no! I nearly died!" over and over with sneering sarcasm. I spent about three seconds trying to get him to listen, mostly by saying, "Hey, I’m a cyclist too!", but he just kept yelling those lines.

In a few more seconds I had to turn off towards home. I went left and he kept riding straight. That was that.

I can see why we have such a bad rep. He sucked.

But at least he was in the bike lane...

[znfdl]

While better and better bike lights are undoubtedly a good thing for riding in traffic, one major drawback is that the bike light arms race is getting a little ridiculous on the bike paths. I have about a 5 mile ride on the CCT in DC/MD, against the flow of traffic.

Thus, I see probably 25+ cyclists coming the other way for every one that they encounter. My night rides home are a constant stream of searchlight quality beams shining directly in my face, with the occasional idiot running theirs on blink mode for no reason whatsoever. This is a bad thing, because I cannot see joggers/walkers in my lane half the time, shielding my eyes as I must. The best solution I’ve found is to run my handlebar light on low and aimed very sharply downward (to see any obstacles at the last minute), and my helmet light on high and aimed way down the path- alternating between a quick peek as far ahead as possible, and an awkward tilt of my head down/right to avoid blinding the oncoming traffic.

You really don’t need much light to see in the dark, on a bike/ped path- it’d behoove the bike light makers to include a courteous level low beam that would also serve to allow them to advertise longer battery charges at that level.

It would also be good to have a narrow beam for bike paths, as I do not need to light up the oncoming bike traffic. This would also help yours and my dilemma.

[busdriver1959]

Cyclists are assholes.

I was driving home last night around 9pm. I had stopped for a light at a five-way intersection in my neighborhood. As I waited for my green, I was watching 4 pedestrians at the corner to my right, the bus at the curb just behind me, and the two-way traffic on the street with the green light.

When my light turned green I went, watching the walkers, bus and stopping cars. But not the fifth street, entering at an obtuse angle from my left. A cyclist came from that direction at the same time I got the green, through a red light and directly across my path in the intersection. I didn't come close to endangering him, but I hadn't seen him until he was in front of me.

I was surprised and, when I also noticed he was riding without lights, I decided to say something to him. So I rolled down my window and calmly said, "I nearly hit you!" To which he yelled, "Oh no! I nearly died!" over and over with sneering sarcasm. I spent about three seconds trying to get him to listen, mostly by saying, "Hey, I’m a cyclist too!", but he just kept yelling those lines.

In a few more seconds I had to turn off towards home. I went left and he kept riding straight. That was that.

I can see why we have such a bad rep. He sucked.

But at least he was in the bike lane...

Don't confuse cyclists with those whose asses happen to be perched on a bike seat.

[Dave Thompson]

Don't confuse cyclists with those whose asses happen to be perched on a bike seat.

Unfortunately many motorists often do.

[RichTheRoadie]

It's not Thursday but, only 6 weeks after picking the damn thing up, this happened this morning:



Some twat ran a stop sign and left me with nowhere to go. Thank god I was in the car alone so that my wife and daughter didn't have to go through it.

I'm very thankful I was in this car - our previous 9yr old Subaru would not have protected me so well or come out of it so unscathed.

That said, there is still a chance this might get written off, purely because of the designed-in crumple zones etc.; and I also fear the impact may have moved the chassis, likely deeming it not cost-effective to repair.

Arse.

[Dave Thompson]

It's not Thursday but, only 6 weeks after picking the damn thing up, this happened this morning:





Some twat ran a stop sign and left me with nowhere to go. Thank god I was in the car alone so that my wife and daughter didn't have to go through it.

I'm very thankful I was in this car - our previous 9yr old Subaru would not have protected me so well or come out of it so unscathed.

That said, there is still a chance this might get written off, purely because of the designed-in crumple zones etc.; and I also fear the impact may have moved the chassis, likely deeming it not cost-effective to repair.

Arse.

Sorry to hear this but it looks like your Volvo did what it was supposed to do; protect you.

[cash]

It's not Thursday but, only 6 weeks after picking the damn thing up, this happened this morning:



Some twat ran a stop sign and left me with nowhere to go. Thank god I was in the car alone so that my wife and daughter didn't have to go through it.

I'm very thankful I was in this car - our previous 9yr old Subaru would not have protected me so well or come out of it so unscathed.

That said, there is still a chance this might get written off, purely because of the designed-in crumple zones etc.; and I also fear the impact may have moved the chassis, likely deeming it not cost-effective to repair.

Arse.

So sorry - but the car did it's job. You're here to grumpily grump about it. Get a new one.

[RichTheRoadie]

Sorry to hear this but it looks like your Volvo did what it was supposed to do; protect you.

So sorry - but the car did it's job. You're here to grumpily grump about it. Get a new one.

Both sentiments are absolutely bang-on. I dread to think how our old car would have fared so I'm definitely glad I was in this car when it happened. Now just waiting on information regarding the repair or write-off.

[znfdl]

Usual commute into work riding the bike path. Bike path crosses a major road, I get the walk sign, I count to three and start to pedal through the intersection, car runs the red light and misses broadsiding me by an inch. Idiot was on a phone.

Grump over, happy to be in one piece.

[Tom]

Cars with seasonal decorations, in this case reindeer antlers. They all seem to drive five mph under the speed limit in the middle lane of a three lane road. They get there by driving down the entrance ramp and immediately steering into that lane just after they use their turn signal, if they do, one and one-half car lengths in front of the semi truck that's going five mph over the speed limit. A very good idea on a morning with freezing fog and black ice.

[davids]

Re-engaging with the neighbors over their parking situation. They're on our property and believe they have an easement to be there. We do not share this belief, living as we do in the reality-based community.

We sat down last night, and confirmed the disagreement. I'm afraid the next stop involves lawyers.

After engaging a lawyer, we sat down with the neighbors one more time to be sure they understood our position and the wealth of evidence we have supporting it. Then we offered to lease them a space, and gave them a deadline - five days out - to let us know if they were interested in further discussing a lease. Not to accept a lease, but to have further discussions about the option.

The deadline comes and goes without acknowledgement. Complete radio silence.

So now they're getting a Demand to cease their trespass or face litigation.

[NYCfixie]

Still can't kick this cold/cough that has been present for a few weeks. Never again will I take a job in a k-6.

[ron l edmiston]

After engaging a lawyer, we sat down with the neighbors one more time to be sure they understood our position and the wealth of evidence we have supporting it. Then we offered to lease them a space, and gave them a deadline - five days out - to let us know if they were interested in further discussing a lease. Not to accept a lease, but to have further discussions about the option.

The deadline comes and goes without acknowledgement. Complete radio silence.

So now they're getting a Demand to cease their trespass or face litigation.

--- any paper trail from prior land/homeowner or witnessed verbal between?
we had similar, two properties back..
with none of the above, established that a "new sheriff in town.." no smiles, but no future smiles sought relative to continual issue evasion..
my best,
ronnie

[nrs5000]

Nasty cold ran through the schools here right after thanksgiving. I thought I was in the clear and was not going to get sick. I was wrong.

[Chad]

Considering another puppy. That alone makes me wonder if I've lost it. One old large dog and one large puppy, along with an old small dog was more dog than a house needs.

Looking at a year old chessie, 12 year old boston terrier and new chessie puppy. Do you know how hairy those things are? Wife is completely on board, kids are as well (imagine that). I'm still gun shy after the last puppy ended up with bad hips. That and the new pup is out of Jonesboro, AR and I'm in Nebraska, ROAD TRIP!!

Just can't seem to pull the trigger.

[Nierman]

Still can't kick this cold/cough that has been present for a few weeks. Never again will I take a job in a k-6.

Ah yes - good to know!