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Here it is, Rants! & Raves!, your weekly chance to sound off. Remember the rules: 1. A Rave! is something that happened during the past week that you’re tickled about and is signified by the word “Rave!” and/or an appropriately happy emoticon.
2 A Rant! is something that happened during the past week that you’re steamed about and is signified by the word “Rant!” and/or an appropriately unhappy emoticon.
3. You may Rant! about something a person said, did or wrote, but you may not Rant! about generally disliking a person.
Have fun!
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Rave:
Went shopping with my wife last night. Enjoyed it mostly. Found a nice Angel Tree Topper for her best friend.
Rant:
My wife wants clothes! I mean, if she can’t find what she wants in the right color, style, fit, and price (and she’s been shopping for this stuff for weeks) how am I going ot find it?
Wow, that’s a tough one, MIM. (I am totally serious–it makes gift buying really hard.) I’ll post a rave for my husband:
Rave:
“My wife doesn’t care what I give her for Christmas, as long as it is a surprise!”
Rave:
My husband doesn’t care what I give him for Christmas, as long as it’s not expensive.
Rave: My four children are all home safe and happy together. It’s been a while since we’ve had them all home together.
Rant: Cars that break down the week before Christmas
Rave: Lost 16.5 pounds since Labor Day!
Rant
I still haven’t bought my wife’s present. She is a major problem.(Just as I am for her.) As MIM, above say, I can’t buy clothes. She doesn’t need much, just something and wrapped pretty. That’s another problem. In Virginia, the malls had wrapping stations where gifts could be professionally wrapped. Her’s was always the prettiest one. Not anymore. Maybe I’ll take Hamatchi’s advice and get wiper blades.
Rant: Every time my credit card statement comes, they include some “convenient” checks which I have to shred. They know my habits, that I would never use that junk.
Rant: Even in upperclass hotels, the lighting on the desks is always inadequate. It isn’t just age either. There’s never a good place to read.
I hate hotels.
RAVE: Our Mary graduated from the University of South Carolina last Monday. BS in Nursing, Cum Laude. We are proud of Mary.
Rave: I’ve discovered that my car has a seat warmer. I never considered it, never needed it until last weekend, and discovered it by accident. (”What’s this button?”) Now the most spoiled woman in the world complains because the truck doesn’t have one.
RAVE Merry Christmas everyone
Today is my husband last day in a full time job. As of tomorrow we will be totally dependant on freelance. I’m praying this is a Rave.
MIM; Keep the receipts.
Rant:
I went to Wal-Mart yesterday to get new tires. It was going to take a couple hours, so while I waited I headed over to the book and magazine section. They had a copy of Woody Allen’s latest collection of humorous essays, and while I waited for my car to be taken care of, I was able to read the whole book. I don’t recommend it. It’s not nearly as funny as Woody’s earlier works. So I’m glad I didn’t pay money to read it. But the disappointing humor isn’t what I’m ticked off about. What made me mad is that, on top of it being hard to read in a Wal-Mart, with no chairs to sit in, and people all over the place, the unprofessional behavior of the management made the experience even worse. I’m not sure what was going on, but about every 10 minutes or so this same assistant manager trainee or whatever would walk by and say in a real loud voice “I GUESS SOME PEOPLE THINK THIS IS THE LIBRARY”. At first I had no idea how people could be mistaking Wal-Mart for the library. The library’s on the other end of town for one thing, and it’s a heckuva lost smaller, too. Then I noticed that there were a lot of Hispanics in the store, and many of them weren’t speaking English. I’m guessing that they’re the people who were confused. But still, there’s no reason for the management to be walking around making snarky comments about them. I thought it was really unprofessional.
Chas - Unless my husband or I know of something specific that the other one wants/needs, we try something different. One year my gift to him was to bake him brownies with nuts once a month during the year. (I prefer them without nuts but he really loves them with nuts.)
Maybe you could promise to take her to a different restaurant once a month or something similar that she would enjoy.
Nighttrain
Rave: LOL
Rant: Let it go.
Rant: That I can’t read as fast as Night Train. Thanks for the Woody Allen review NT!
Rave: It’s Friday, last day before Christmas break for my school kids and school teacher hubby, and the surf is suppose to pick up, Yah!
Rave: Night Train can be humorous.
Rave: My husband thinks I’m the best wife in the world (the real world, not this World) because I totally let him of the hook on Christmas.
Rave: And my birthday, which happens to be today.
Rant: Horrible service at our favorite restaurant last night celebrating my birthday. We eat out all of about three times a year and this one was a bummer.
Funny story for Chas: When I first got my current car (with seat warmers), my son who was about 21 at the time was riding with me and didn’t know about them. All of a sudden he jumped and said, “What the heck?” After I told him, he said, “Oh, good, I thought I had pee’ed myself.”
Rave
Top this one!
I went to Wal-Mart to get new tires. I needed to replace all 4, and I asked the guy how much they would cost. He asked me what kind I had on my car, and I said I had no idea, but since i always buy them at Wal-Mart, it had to be in their computer. I gave him my phone # and he looked up my record. Then he told me to hold on for a minute, and said he needed to talk to the manager, and walked to the back. He was gone for about 10 minutes and I was starting to get a little peeved that it was taking them so long to price a set of tires. Finally he and the manager came back to the counter and said “well, we’ve got a price for your tires”. I asked how much they would cost for 4, and they said nothing. I asked what they meant by that, assuming that this was their “humorous” way of telling me they were out of stock. So then they informed me that I had Douglas tires on my car, and that batch # had been recalled the other day, and so I was getting 4 brand new tires for free. Douglas was even paying for the road hazard protection, which normally runs $10 per tire!
Wow!
I got a set of brand new tires that would’ve cost me about $450 after taxes, and didn’t have to pay a penny.
Rant:
Why do some people think that Woody Allen was ever funny?
Rave:
Glad they’re finally catching on…
Chas, before you post, highlight the whole post with control A, then hit control c to copy it. If you hit submit and have that problem, you can log in. Your post will be in your paste function. Go to start a new post and do control v. See if that works.
Night Train, you see how God works, right?
Chas,
I just found out my wife likes blown glass. She found a local glass blower, but it is not cheap.
Chas,
One phone call to the credit card company stops those annoying checks with your statement. In my opinion, it’s an easy way to fraud if someone else gets ahold of them, so I don’t want them in the mailbox.
Thanx Cameron, I will try that. It’s a major annoyance.
Congratulations Night Train I’ll bet that was a pleasant surprise. You got to read a book too.
Congratulations on your BD mommy. But I expect it was difficult haveing a BD so close to Christmas. Granddaughter’s husband’s BD in Dec. 25. He never really celebrated his BD.
Karen O reminded me of another Rave: My wife is making cookies and party mix to take to Greensboro for Christmas. She always overcooks and I get the broken and imperfect ones. Guess who doesn’t care if they’re black on the bottom.
Bear with me–
Rave: after some 14 years of nightmare Christmas months, this December has been lovely. Full of joy, hapiness, peace, contentment and fun. Even my husband is delighted at the difference in me. I don’t know if it’s because some of the grief has finally eased, the grandbaby coming in his Santa suit or what, but I’m having a much better holiday this year. And the only present under the tree so far, is for me!
So, we’ve been praising God all month!
Rave: My wife’s parents are coming to see us. We were going to see them, but my sister was facing surgery, and so I decided to stay put.
Rave: The hospice workers that are helping with my sister are fantastic. She and my other relatives were wary about hospice (despite my recommendations), but now they are so pleased with the arrangments.
Rave: I am able to stay here at a crucial time. Normally I live and work overseas, and I was scheduled to go back in two weeks. However, I have permission to stay until May, and that means I can be with my sister at this difficult time.
Rave: spent most of the week at the beach condo, with a great view of the bay.
Rant: wasted my time wandering around a large outdoor mall only to find that the store who’s website said they were there, wasn’t. I usually avoid this mall [there are others in this area], but it’s the only one that was supposed to have that store. I later found out that they had moved into a building outside the mall
Rant: Upon review, I see a lot of spelling and typo errors in my comments today. I think we all need to return to the Christmas wishes posting and asked for either spell check or preview comments for this blog!
*****
Thanks, Chas. After all these years (not divulging how many), I’m used to it. My guys treat me like a queen every day, so I don’t really miss having a special BD.
First–Happy birthday, mommy! Mine is between Christmas and New Year. Bad timing. I have a daughter whose is the day after mine. Poor thing.
Anlir: my sympathy. That is no fun to be wondering about results, especially over the holidays. I went through it last year.
Michelle, glad your December is better and hope it is just one of many. Grief holds on a long time. So happy for the grandchild for you too. What joy!
Rave: My daughter’s co-worker had a stroke at 22. By God’s providence, her mother “just happened” to have stayed home from work that day. She was able to call for help and her daughter was saved from possible death and very probably, at the very least, complications.
Rant: My uncle just diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer.
Rave: that I was smart enough to plan ahead and get a birthday six months from Christmas.
My college roommate was even smarter; mine is June 27, but hers is June 25. (If I remember correctly, Mumsee’s is Monday, Christmas Eve.)
Rave: that I finally got a check that’s about three weeks late, and will have money in the bank in time for the mortgage.
Rave: that my co-author on a book I’m writing likes my sample chapters (though he’ll only tell me so indirectly, by “copying” e-mails he has written to other people!!).
Rave: that after a heavy rain yesterday, and temperatures alternately wintry and summer-like, today looks like it is going to be perfect. It’s about sixty degrees out, dry, blue sky. I will get to take a walk with my neighbors in a bit.
Rant: that I have to keep waiting to find out whether any of my books will be accepted for publication/agenting. I have a hard time being patient, and want to know yesterday!
Rave: I bought a personalized rolling duffel for one of my son’s Christmas presents - we make lots of trips, and he needs one! Got it online a month ago. I inspected it when it came in, but when I went to wrap it the other night, found a small hole near a seam. At 10 pm that night, I e-mailed the company to see what we could do - according to their policies, I thought I may have to send it in for repair, but hoped to be able to wait until after Christmas. Instead, the company shipped another one out UPS Air so I can get it by Christmas! And they don’t want the defective one back! Wow! It thought service like that was dead. I should plug the company, since they do have nice products - and service! www.kidstravelzone.com. Check them out if you need something fun for a child in your life.
Rant: Always being short of money.
Rave: Planning ahead enough that we didn’t go into debt AT ALL this Christmas! Yay!
Merry Christmas to all!
Happy Birthday, Mommy!
Rant:
I’m feeling the “loss” of my older daughter, Emily, (she moved to her own place a few months ago) more acutely at this time. My prayer for her is that she will give herself wholeheartedly to Jesus, & He will give her the wisdom, strength & courage to do what is right.
Rave:
Even in the midst of that, & with the recent news that my mom has terminal cancer - or maybe especially because of these things - my faith & gratitude is stronger & deeper, & I know He is holding my hand & leading me along.
Thank you for the bd wishes. KI - that is a bummer. I always thought that right after Christmas would be worse than right before. At least on my day, everyone is upbeat and excited. On yours, they’re probably silently cursing you for daring to have been born then.
Anlir - Be happy that they are making you wait. That ususally means it is good news.
The day after my biopsy, I got a call at work moments before closing to tell me that the doctor wanted to see me first thing in the morning at the hospital (to talk before he started his surgeries for the day). By that, I knew the biopsy news was bad (and it was - although the surgery went very well and I avoided chemo/radiation - at least until the follow up ’scope next month).
My wife spent that night planning my funeral.
Rant:
It’s not cold four days before Christmas.
Rave:
It’s not cold four days before Christmas.
Rave:
My sister-in-law’s burden will be relieved in two weeks. And I’ll be an uncle again!
KRM,
That’s what I keep telling myself. If it was bad news they would have asked me to come in right away. Everyone says that since they said not till Jan. 15th that the tests were all negative. I just want to hear them tell me that it’s ok. The original plan was to have my voice back by Dec. 1st. Obviously we didn’t make that date. So now it’s Jan. 15th at the soonest. I guess after 6 months of not being able to talk, I was really looking forward to being able to talk this Christmas. But still, I am grateful for all I have and I shouldn’t complain, because there is nothing really to complain about.
Chas: ”
Sometimes, when I make a long post and hit submit, I get a statement that I have to log in, and I lose my post. After that, it says “Join the conversation” at the bottom, but not of the first rejection.”
When this happens, before you do anything, try hitting your browser’s “back” button. I’ve had posts go into the ether, but they were still there when I hit back and I was able to select all and copy, thus avoiding rewriting it. Worth a try anyway. I’m using Firefox, btw.
NT- So let me get this straight. You got 4 new tires for free–and got to read a mediocre book at no charge. Such a deal! The “sales associate” sounds like a real trip. He should be happy you didn’t entertain yourself by filling shopping carts with hundreds of obscure and unrelated items, and then walked away when your car was ready.
Rant:
My 80K mile tires wore out in 19K miles. Missed only two rotations. Tire store wouldn’t redeem the miles either when my wife was in there. I was hacked. I went in and told ‘em straight up. this manufacturer inflated the treadware figures bigtime. I want some satisfaction.
Rave:
I called the manufacturer and they gave me a case number. The tire store took it, and called me back. The manufacturer made good on the tires! Will pro-rate the tires 75%.
Rant:
It will only cover a fraction of the Michelin tires they recommended.
Rave:
I didn’t read a whole book while waiting on anyone!
Rant: Buying something for sale in a store that is expectedly new but that is actually previously used/abused by someone so childishly self-absorbed that personal possession occurs merely from their touch and disposal or retention is optional when they’ve had their fill.
Rant: Finding such people humorously clever.
Rave: Long weekend ending with Christmas.
*****
Taking your car to Wal-Mart is like going to the DMV for your driver’s license or going to an inner-city Emergency Room. It’s crowded and the wait is at least thrice as long as they tell you it is. Every experience I have ever had at a Wal-Mart auto center has been miserable and not worth the “savings”. I’m glad NT had a good experience, but it’s the first one I’ve heard of.
Rave:
I finally made an appointment to see a back Doctor recommended by a former head of ER friend of mine. I got to see him the next day and he gave me his undivided attention for almost two whole hours! He did a very thorough examination of my back and neck, and explained a lot of stuff. I was very encouraged, and even have hope that a lot of chronic pain can be alleviated. I even got a ton of x-rays done the same day.
Rant:
I haven’t got the results or another appointment yet. I’m ready to get started…
Rant:
I want preview back!
Rant:
I want preview back!
RANT:
I WANT PREVIEW BACK!
Make it Man,
Congrats on going to the doc and finding one who spent some time with you. That’s so rare to find a doc who will take that kind of time. Chronic pain really takes a toll on a person after awhile. I hope he can help you!
Rant: Bum backs.
Rave: Strengthening your core (anyway you can) to hold/support your back and to keep it aligned where it belongs. It worked for me, relieving pinched nerves, etc., and I pray it will for you MIM. I know of what you speak.
The place I went was a back and neck pain clinic with a staff of physical therapists (who strengthen the core, by the way). When I told my sister in law, who is a therapist, that the doctor was an osteopath, she said “even better”.
Yup, Rond, I’m really tired of waking up with pain every day. I’m ready to do something about it.
Great, but remember, ya gotta do it everyday.
BTW, my wife gets a gift card from Belk. She will like that. Also, tickets to the Flat Rock playhouse. She will like that too.
It just isn’t wrapped real pretty.
WOW! those little guys are menacing!
Oh! Tickets to the theatre. That’s a good idea. MIM, are you getting these ideas?? You could do a variation on Chas’ Playhouse tickets, and build her a tree house! No bad ideas. Nah, too hard to climb a tree wearing new wooden clogs.
Buying something for sale in a store that is expectedly new but that is actually previously used/abused by someone so childishly self-absorbed that personal possession occurs merely from their touch and disposal or retention is optional when they’ve had their fill.
LMBO!
Ron, are you Outkast’s evil twin?
Night Train, you see how God works, right?
NJL, I believe in God, but I think he’s got a lot better things to do than get me a good deal on tires. And if he’s responsible for that, then he’s also responsible for the person getting pancreatic cancer mentioned above. Evvies want to have it both ways, exclaiming “Look what God did!” when something good happens, but absolving God of all blame when bad stuff happens.
Such a deal! The “sales associate” sounds like a real trip. He should be happy you didn’t entertain yourself by filling shopping carts with hundreds of obscure and unrelated items, and then walked away when your car was ready.
Actually, I just made up the rant, just to see how many people would get a kick out of it, and how many people, like RonD, would get all bent out of shape about it. I did borrow Woody Allen book from the library, and it is pretty bad. And the Rave about the new tires is true.
But I’m wondering where you ever got the idea to put lots of unrelated and obscure items in a cart and then walk away from then.
It sounds like you have too much time on your hands!
NT-
It only came to mind because the fictional sales associate was so obnoxious. Otherwise, I would have left my car and gone somewhere else… I don’t do Wal-Mart. Unless the tires are free!!
Not a rant or a rave, but I got tired of listening to the back and forth about NT reading a book at B&N, so I asked their customer service what their view of that is. Their answer:
“As a company we welcome customers to browse at their leisure and do not monitor what or how much of a book a customer reads during their visit.”
Rant: Going out to my car in the work parking lot Thursday and finding a flat tire (with drenching rain torrenting down).
Rant at self for evading putting on the spare myself but calling the auto club, which too three hours to arrive instead of
the usual one hour. Rave to the tow truck driver who cheerfully started changing to tire to spare while getting drenched.
Rave or at least forgiveness to self when one of the bolts on the tire froze and the tow truck driver had to break it off to
change the tire. (I will write a letter to auto club in appreciation of tow truck driver)
Rant: Tire store closed by then. Drove many miles on spare tire at no more than 50 miles an hour because “spares” are no longer real tires, irritating many drivers behind me. Well, as I am well practiced at wmb by not being bothered by irriating other people when I feel justified, I was pretty comfortable. (You can rant at me if you want.)
Rave: Daughter and partner welcomed me and provided refuge at their house and provided a nice trout dinner and a bed out of the storm for the night. Rant: Random Granddaughter was already in bed. Previous two days she had been a three-year-old juvenile delingquent at preschool; hitting other kids, throwing tantrums, and generally being little snot. Mommies diagnosis: not taking naps and not getting enough sleep–thus in bed by the time Grandpa arrived.
Rave: Next day took RG to preschool. She was in good mood, skipping on way to pre-school, and inserting “key card” into door with experienced savoir faire. Rant: What kind of world do we live in where three year olds have to carry and know how to use “key cards” to get into their preschool.
Rave: Heard next day that she was a little angel again at preschool. Due to Grandpa taking her? Probably not. Getting a good night’s sleep? More likely.
Rave: Tire store found screw in tire (tire had been screwed?); fixed and mounted it (including replacing broken bolt) for free.
Rant: On way home, headlights went out. Drove quite a few miles on highway with no lights, following traffic ahead of me closely for road guidance. Cars going other direction flashed lights at me helpfully. Finally, parked five miles from home; sensibly not deciding to go down dark country road with no lights. Rave: wife picked me up.
Rant: Dealer service department worked on car all day today to fix headlights. Diagnosis: mouse at wiring. Lights now working; dealer not sure completely repaired–just try it and see what happens. $300 damage from mouse. Rave: service department is helpful.
Rant in sympathy to all people reporting illnesses and ailments today.
Rave: Tired old bodies of wife and self functioning for another year.
Rave: Barely extended family coming for Sunday and Monday. (Daughter, daughter out of law, and hopefully well-behaved and well-rested granddaughter.)
Random, I wish you better Car-ma in the coming year.
Not a rant or a rave, but I got tired of listening to the back and forth about NT reading a book at B&N, so I asked their customer service what their view of that is. Their answer:
“As a company we welcome customers to browse at their leisure and do not monitor what or how much of a book a customer reads during their visit.”
Thanks for doing that, Pauline, and filling us in.
Rave: Christmas music. Listen to Kathy Mattea’s Christmas music, if you don’t have it. Wonderful and she has the mellifluous alto voice I so admire. In person that voice is only richer.
Rant: Trains that run late. Stuck two nights ago for three hours and finally did get cold standing outside and now am feeling kind of well, pleurisy/pneumoniaish. Dang trains.
Chas, Oh lighting for hotel desks, you are so right on with that.
Anlir, expect to hear results nearly after you do. You are not allowed to be sick!
Random, understand why you will sabbatical. But I will miss you nonetheless.
MiM, I have more than one friend who deals with chronic pain. One has chronic pulmonary disease, one has hydradentis supertiva, one has nerve damage from a car accident, one has fibromylagia (sp? I never spell that right) Very tough on them and their families. Hang in there! And don’t take no for an answer but do also seek a second or third opinion on options.
Rant: Holiday traffic is out of control. Makes a simple trip to the mall take three times longer than usual.
Rave: I really like chocolate covered raisins and fire places. I love putting gifts under the tree and watching the little kids flock to the new pile.
It makes me laugh when they pick up the boxes and shake them to death, trying to guess what’s inside.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
DON’T TAZE ME BRO!
I have a rant against Mitt for saying he “saw” his father march with Martin Luthor King.
I have a rant against the press for saying that Rudy paid for his girlfriends security while he was mayor and then today, publishing a retraction. Seems it was “out of pocket”. I don’t like Rudy anyway, but I like dirty tactics even less.
NT — your story reminds me of the looks I would get when I taught my daughter how to shoot baskets at the toy section in Walmart. The sales staff didn’t mind it was the other customers.
Anlir — I was under the impression that private health care was far more effecient than this silly socialist system I endure.
Rave: Two weeks off
NT — your story reminds me of the looks I would get when I taught my daughter how to shoot baskets at the toy section in Walmart. The sales staff didn’t mind it was the other customers.
Glad to hear it. I sort of have a knack for being able to relate to the common man, I think.