Overheard at Work

[TheGrimSqueaker]

Pretty much.

Husband made me download an episode of Ancient Aliens last week because I'd never seen it and didn't know who he was. It was about how the people we suspect are ancient aliens (you know, the ones who built the pyramids and easter island statues) may in fact be time travelling humans from the future.

They were deadly serious about it too. Provided "evidence" and everything. It was truly scary the way they thought.

What was even worse: finding it in the sparsely populated documentary section of Barnes and Noble, re-shelving it properly in the fiction section, telling the clerk what I'd done because I'd found the DVDs mis-shelved, and having her say: "But that's where it's supposed to be."

Me: "No, documentaries are based on some kind of scientific or historical research. This is entertainment TV, kind of like that show about the zombie apocalypse."

Clerk: "But it's from National Geographic."

Me: "National Geographic was bought by Fox, and hasn't done a cultural anthropology documentary in years. They show all kinds of things that aren't documentaries. This for example is a satire."

Clerk: "But it's corporate policy to put it in with the documentaries."

Me: "I notice you have very few of them compared to a couple years ago. Maybe you should make the section smaller or maybe see what's being produced internationally."

Clerk: "It's corporate policy."

Me: "It's fashionable to be pig-ignorant these days, and I get that your corporate policies reflect that, but we're all adults here and it's OK if we think for ourselves."

Clerk: "It's corporate policy."

She just kind of kept repeating that. It's like the aliens ate her brain or something.

[randymarsh]

A lowly cashier doesn't give a damn how movies are categorized.  I worked retail and could not have cared less how we displayed clothes. Corporate sent us a model photo. We copied it. I would have responded much the same way she did if a customer repeatedly told me why our display was "wrong".

[Chris22]

Pretty much.

Husband made me download an episode of Ancient Aliens last week because I'd never seen it and didn't know who he was. It was about how the people we suspect are ancient aliens (you know, the ones who built the pyramids and easter island statues) may in fact be time travelling humans from the future.

They were deadly serious about it too. Provided "evidence" and everything. It was truly scary the way they thought.

What was even worse: finding it in the sparsely populated documentary section of Barnes and Noble, re-shelving it properly in the fiction section, telling the clerk what I'd done because I'd found the DVDs mis-shelved, and having her say: "But that's where it's supposed to be."

Me: "No, documentaries are based on some kind of scientific or historical research. This is entertainment TV, kind of like that show about the zombie apocalypse."

Clerk: "But it's from National Geographic."

Me: "National Geographic was bought by Fox, and hasn't done a cultural anthropology documentary in years. They show all kinds of things that aren't documentaries. This for example is a satire."

Clerk: "But it's corporate policy to put it in with the documentaries."

Me: "I notice you have very few of them compared to a couple years ago. Maybe you should make the section smaller or maybe see what's being produced internationally."

Clerk: "It's corporate policy."

Me: "It's fashionable to be pig-ignorant these days, and I get that your corporate policies reflect that, but we're all adults here and it's OK if we think for ourselves."

Clerk: "It's corporate policy."

She just kind of kept repeating that. It's like the aliens ate her brain or something.

Just to clarify, you got in some sort of pissing match with a bookstore employee over where a DVD was shelved?  Uh...congrats?  You win?

[cawiau]

Pretty much.

Husband made me download an episode of Ancient Aliens last week because I'd never seen it and didn't know who he was. It was about how the people we suspect are ancient aliens (you know, the ones who built the pyramids and easter island statues) may in fact be time travelling humans from the future.

They were deadly serious about it too. Provided "evidence" and everything. It was truly scary the way they thought.

What was even worse: finding it in the sparsely populated documentary section of Barnes and Noble, re-shelving it properly in the fiction section, telling the clerk what I'd done because I'd found the DVDs mis-shelved, and having her say: "But that's where it's supposed to be."

Me: "No, documentaries are based on some kind of scientific or historical research. This is entertainment TV, kind of like that show about the zombie apocalypse."

Clerk: "But it's from National Geographic."

Me: "National Geographic was bought by Fox, and hasn't done a cultural anthropology documentary in years. They show all kinds of things that aren't documentaries. This for example is a satire."

Clerk: "But it's corporate policy to put it in with the documentaries."

Me: "I notice you have very few of them compared to a couple years ago. Maybe you should make the section smaller or maybe see what's being produced internationally."

Clerk: "It's corporate policy."

Me: "It's fashionable to be pig-ignorant these days, and I get that your corporate policies reflect that, but we're all adults here and it's OK if we think for ourselves."

Clerk: "It's corporate policy."

She just kind of kept repeating that. It's like the aliens ate her brain or something.

Just to clarify, you got in some sort of pissing match with a bookstore employee over where a DVD was shelved?  Uh...congrats?  You win?

Thank God I am not the only one that noticed that!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[druth]

Just to clarify, you got in some sort of pissing match with a bookstore employee over where a DVD was shelved?  Uh...congrats?  You win?

Even if she had agreed with him, she still shouldn't move it because then it would be wrong in the system for every other employee that might try to find it.  Corporate policies might not make sense 100% of the time, but standardization has its own value.

Also wage slaves at a big chain have no control over these things.

When I worked at Caribou people would tell us things like "you know Starbucks doesn't charge for soy.  I would come here more if you didn't charge."  K.  I don't GaF.  If you don't like my store go to another store, but I'm not gonna get up on a step ladder and cross out the charge on the menu boards sent by corporate.

[stylesjl]

Pretty much.

Husband made me download an episode of Ancient Aliens last week because I'd never seen it and didn't know who he was. It was about how the people we suspect are ancient aliens (you know, the ones who built the pyramids and easter island statues) may in fact be time travelling humans from the future.

They were deadly serious about it too. Provided "evidence" and everything. It was truly scary the way they thought.

What was even worse: finding it in the sparsely populated documentary section of Barnes and Noble, re-shelving it properly in the fiction section, telling the clerk what I'd done because I'd found the DVDs mis-shelved, and having her say: "But that's where it's supposed to be."

Me: "No, documentaries are based on some kind of scientific or historical research. This is entertainment TV, kind of like that show about the zombie apocalypse."

Clerk: "But it's from National Geographic."

Me: "National Geographic was bought by Fox, and hasn't done a cultural anthropology documentary in years. They show all kinds of things that aren't documentaries. This for example is a satire."

Clerk: "But it's corporate policy to put it in with the documentaries."

Me: "I notice you have very few of them compared to a couple years ago. Maybe you should make the section smaller or maybe see what's being produced internationally."

Clerk: "It's corporate policy."

Me: "It's fashionable to be pig-ignorant these days, and I get that your corporate policies reflect that, but we're all adults here and it's OK if we think for ourselves."

Clerk: "It's corporate policy."

She just kind of kept repeating that. It's like the aliens ate her brain or something.

You do realise that it is legitimate to classify it as non-fiction, right? Fiction is based on what the creator of the work has purported to be not real (like Harry Potter is fiction since JK Rowling isn't really saying there is a wizard with a scar on his forehead in the real world) but nonfiction applies to works even when they are factually dubious like documentaries about aliens, religious texts, etc as the mere fact that they are asserted to be true by the creator means they are nonfiction.

[HairyUpperLip]

Hello. I check out library books and then read them on the toilet while I poop. Please feel free to spray any and all books with lysol.

Thanks.

[RamonaQ]

Clerk: "It's corporate policy."

She just kind of kept repeating that. It's like the aliens ate her brain or something.

Or like a bookstore clerk doesn't just get to put things wherever she thinks they fit best.

Imagine the scene:
"Hmmm, I'm looking for the book Bossypants.  It's supposed to be right here in the humor section, but I don't see it."
"Oh, Bob didn't think it was funny so he shelved it in general fiction instead."

[boarder42]

Pretty much.

Husband made me download an episode of Ancient Aliens last week because I'd never seen it and didn't know who he was. It was about how the people we suspect are ancient aliens (you know, the ones who built the pyramids and easter island statues) may in fact be time travelling humans from the future.

They were deadly serious about it too. Provided "evidence" and everything. It was truly scary the way they thought.

What was even worse: finding it in the sparsely populated documentary section of Barnes and Noble, re-shelving it properly in the fiction section, telling the clerk what I'd done because I'd found the DVDs mis-shelved, and having her say: "But that's where it's supposed to be."

Me: "No, documentaries are based on some kind of scientific or historical research. This is entertainment TV, kind of like that show about the zombie apocalypse."

Clerk: "But it's from National Geographic."

Me: "National Geographic was bought by Fox, and hasn't done a cultural anthropology documentary in years. They show all kinds of things that aren't documentaries. This for example is a satire."

Clerk: "But it's corporate policy to put it in with the documentaries."

Me: "I notice you have very few of them compared to a couple years ago. Maybe you should make the section smaller or maybe see what's being produced internationally."

Clerk: "It's corporate policy."

Me: "It's fashionable to be pig-ignorant these days, and I get that your corporate policies reflect that, but we're all adults here and it's OK if we think for ourselves."

Clerk: "It's corporate policy."

She just kind of kept repeating that. It's like the aliens ate her brain or something.

Corporate zombie - instead of saying "BRAINS", they say "IT'S CORPORATE POLICY"

did you also move the bible and all christian related books to this section as well?

[Papa Mustache]

The upfront cost of that 2500 dog is very small compared to the cost of owning it for years afterwards. If all dogs cost 2500 to buy upfront we'd have less getting dumped in rural areas.

I hope I got the quoting right.

Maybe certain breeds are really expensive??? grooming needs for example?

I had two mixed breeds dumped on me 25 years ago. I spent $75 each to get them spayed, annual shots which were ~$10, each stepped on glass once and needed stitches (odd), and food. Good dogs.

We've rescued two purebred bird dogs in the years since and both needed the same as the mixed breeds and nothing more. Our cats have been even cheaper b/c they eat less and require no maintenance aside form rabies shots.

We buy good dog food from the farmer's co-op and buy flea pills. We trim the tangled fur and burrs out ourselves occasionally. A dog brush lasts forever. We bathe her in the bathtub ourselves for pennies (generic baby shampoo).

All of them have been great family dogs and I'm glad our kids have known them.

[Papa Mustache]

Hello. I check out library books and then read them on the toilet while I poop. Please feel free to spray any and all books with lysol.

Thanks.

TMI....

[TheGrimSqueaker]

Pretty much.

Husband made me download an episode of Ancient Aliens last week because I'd never seen it and didn't know who he was. It was about how the people we suspect are ancient aliens (you know, the ones who built the pyramids and easter island statues) may in fact be time travelling humans from the future.

They were deadly serious about it too. Provided "evidence" and everything. It was truly scary the way they thought.

What was even worse: finding it in the sparsely populated documentary section of Barnes and Noble, re-shelving it properly in the fiction section, telling the clerk what I'd done because I'd found the DVDs mis-shelved, and having her say: "But that's where it's supposed to be."

Me: "No, documentaries are based on some kind of scientific or historical research. This is entertainment TV, kind of like that show about the zombie apocalypse."

Clerk: "But it's from National Geographic."

Me: "National Geographic was bought by Fox, and hasn't done a cultural anthropology documentary in years. They show all kinds of things that aren't documentaries. This for example is a satire."

Clerk: "But it's corporate policy to put it in with the documentaries."

Me: "I notice you have very few of them compared to a couple years ago. Maybe you should make the section smaller or maybe see what's being produced internationally."

Clerk: "It's corporate policy."

Me: "It's fashionable to be pig-ignorant these days, and I get that your corporate policies reflect that, but we're all adults here and it's OK if we think for ourselves."

Clerk: "It's corporate policy."

She just kind of kept repeating that. It's like the aliens ate her brain or something.

You do realise that it is legitimate to classify it as non-fiction, right? Fiction is based on what the creator of the work has purported to be not real (like Harry Potter is fiction since JK Rowling isn't really saying there is a wizard with a scar on his forehead in the real world) but nonfiction applies to works even when they are factually dubious like documentaries about aliens, religious texts, etc as the mere fact that they are asserted to be true by the creator means they are nonfiction.

Books are treated differently from DVDs by stores that sell them. Having a separate section for religious and inspirational material tiptoes past the fiction/nonfiction debate.

It's possible format plays a role in whether something is considered nonfiction, but it's not consistent. They seem to be pretty picky as to what makes it in, and what doesn't.

I found "Ray", "Coach Carter", and "Noah" in the drama section, "42" and "Gettysburg" in the history section, and "La Vie En Rose" and "The Josephine Baker Story" with the music and entertainment movies. They're all dramatizations, but only "42" and "Gettysburg" make it into the nonfiction section. Meanwhile, "This Is Spinal Tap" and "Farce of the Penguins" are found with the comedies (correctly, I think) while "Some Kind of Monster" is in with the live music. "Up The Yangtze" is in the history section. The latter four films are all in a contemporary live documentary format, where the filmmakers follow people or animals around with a camera, and sometimes interview them or do voice-over explanations of scenes that they edit together. "Up The Yangtze" is taken seriously but "Some Kind of Monster" isn't.

It seems to me that if the aliens make the cut, then "Ray" and "The Josephine Baker Story" ought to be accorded the same respect. Maybe even religious films like "Noah" should be brought in. But they aren't. "Noah" and "The Ten Commandments" are in the drama section.

It's probably a moot point anyway. Streaming sales are gradually phasing out DVD sales, and five years from now DVDs will most likely go the same way as VHS. It's possible to classify a film several ways online, so genre identity is going to be more fluid in the future.

[TheGrimSqueaker]

did you also move the bible and all christian related books to this section as well?

No, they already have their own section. Possibly the fact/not-fact issue came up in the past and the stores just bypassed it. Most films based on religious stories are categorized as dramas. "Noah" comes to mind as does "The Ten Commandments".

Anyway, the whole story was leading up to a joke about genre identity.

[TheGrimSqueaker]

did you also move the bible and all christian related books to this section as well?

No, they already have their own section. Possibly the fact/not-fact issue came up in the past and the stores just bypassed it. Most films based on religious stories are categorized as dramas. "Noah" comes to mind as does "The Ten Commandments".

Anyway, the whole story was leading up to a joke about genre identity.

Hahaha! The fluidity of genre identity?

Yup. Whole point of entire post.

[esq]

Thanks everybody who made me laff today.  I needed it.  (Kids come back in two days and I just found out I might lose my classroom.)

You guys are some funny fuckers.

As you were. :)

[Inaya]

did you also move the bible and all christian related books to this section as well?

No, they already have their own section. Possibly the fact/not-fact issue came up in the past and the stores just bypassed it. Most films based on religious stories are categorized as dramas. "Noah" comes to mind as does "The Ten Commandments".

Anyway, the whole story was leading up to a joke about genre identity.

Hahaha! The fluidity of genre identity?

So which bathroom do nonfiction books use?

[MgoSam]

did you also move the bible and all christian related books to this section as well?

No, they already have their own section. Possibly the fact/not-fact issue came up in the past and the stores just bypassed it. Most films based on religious stories are categorized as dramas. "Noah" comes to mind as does "The Ten Commandments".

Anyway, the whole story was leading up to a joke about genre identity.

Hahaha! The fluidity of genre identity?

So which bathroom do nonfiction books use?

Everybody poops?

[zephyr911]

On the topic of dogs. Overheard a co worker talking about their friend. $15k on 3 nights in dog hospital and the dog died.

We adopted a rescue kitten in June and 3 weeks later I blew a grand watching him die in a hospital. My first thought after all the initial emotional shit was "Oh god, don't tell the MMM forum..."

[MgoSam]

On the topic of dogs. Overheard a co worker talking about their friend. $15k on 3 nights in dog hospital and the dog died.

We adopted a rescue kitten in June and 3 weeks later I blew a grand watching him die in a hospital. My first thought after all the initial emotional shit was "Oh god, don't tell the MMM forum..."

It happens. I'm guessing you're able to afford it.

I know that if I ever get a dog, it's going to be hard to make those decisions, especially when the dog ages. It likely will turn into a showdown between my rational side and my emotional one. What's funny is that a good chunk of mine friend's tell me that I'm not a "feeler" (Myers Briggs), whereas the engineers and other logic based people chide me for being more emotional than them.

[TheGrimSqueaker]

did you also move the bible and all christian related books to this section as well?

No, they already have their own section. Possibly the fact/not-fact issue came up in the past and the stores just bypassed it. Most films based on religious stories are categorized as dramas. "Noah" comes to mind as does "The Ten Commandments".

Anyway, the whole story was leading up to a joke about genre identity.

Hahaha! The fluidity of genre identity?

So which bathroom do nonfiction books use?

The political biographies have to be in a stall, next to a full roll of TP, because of what they're already full of.

[zephyr911]

It happens. I'm guessing you're able to afford it.

I know that if I ever get a dog, it's going to be hard to make those decisions, especially when the dog ages. It likely will turn into a showdown between my rational side and my emotional one. What's funny is that a good chunk of mine friend's tell me that I'm not a "feeler" (Myers Briggs), whereas the engineers and other logic based people chide me for being more emotional than them.

Yeah, I don't *like* spending that much unexpectedly, but I adjusted without much trouble. To me, the key is to be prepared for that kind of thing and stay conscious of cost vs. likely benefit. Our dogs are 9 and 10 now, and the older they get, the less I'd be willing to do, especially if quality of life isn't guaranteed afterward. I love the fuck out of the hairy little beasts, but they've got 5 years left if they're lucky, you know... the closer they are to normal end of life, the less sense it makes to rack up huge bills for a little more time with them.

[MrsDinero]

It happens. I'm guessing you're able to afford it.

I know that if I ever get a dog, it's going to be hard to make those decisions, especially when the dog ages. It likely will turn into a showdown between my rational side and my emotional one. What's funny is that a good chunk of mine friend's tell me that I'm not a "feeler" (Myers Briggs), whereas the engineers and other logic based people chide me for being more emotional than them.

Yeah, I don't *like* spending that much unexpectedly, but I adjusted without much trouble. To me, the key is to be prepared for that kind of thing and stay conscious of cost vs. likely benefit. Our dogs are 9 and 10 now, and the older they get, the less I'd be willing to do, especially if quality of life isn't guaranteed afterward. I love the fuck out of the hairy little beasts, but they've got 5 years left if they're lucky, you know... the closer they are to normal end of life, the less sense it makes to rack up huge bills for a little more time with them.

I've had many animals from birth to death.  When it comes to end of life and how to decide, there is no one-fits-all decision.  For me I've paid hundreds (thousands?) of dollars on testing for my past animals.  For me it was part of the decision making process.  I needed to know that making the decision to put down an animal was the right decision and for me that meant have all the facts in front of me. My last cat, I paid $600 for him to see a kitty oncologist to just make sure he did have cancer.   I ended up putting him down shortly after, because I could see he was in a lot of pain and the doctor said the cancer had spread.  I consider it $600 well spent.

[Papa Mustache]

On the topic of dogs. Overheard a co worker talking about their friend. $15k on 3 nights in dog hospital and the dog died.

We adopted a rescue kitten in June and 3 weeks later I blew a grand watching him die in a hospital. My first thought after all the initial emotional shit was "Oh god, don't tell the MMM forum..."

It happens. I'm guessing you're able to afford it.

I know that if I ever get a dog, it's going to be hard to make those decisions, especially when the dog ages. It likely will turn into a showdown between my rational side and my emotional one. What's funny is that a good chunk of mine friend's tell me that I'm not a "feeler" (Myers Briggs), whereas the engineers and other logic based people chide me for being more emotional than them.

I don't know but we got far more emotional over putting our dog down than we have about alot of other things that we should have been emotional about. That dog was one of our kids more or less. She smelled funny and had some odd habits (normal to any dog but odd for a human child - let me work this metaphor) but we loved her.

[RyanAtTanagra]

On the topic of dogs. Overheard a co worker talking about their friend. $15k on 3 nights in dog hospital and the dog died.

We adopted a rescue kitten in June and 3 weeks later I blew a grand watching him die in a hospital. My first thought after all the initial emotional shit was "Oh god, don't tell the MMM forum..."

It happens. I'm guessing you're able to afford it.

I know that if I ever get a dog, it's going to be hard to make those decisions, especially when the dog ages. It likely will turn into a showdown between my rational side and my emotional one. What's funny is that a good chunk of mine friend's tell me that I'm not a "feeler" (Myers Briggs), whereas the engineers and other logic based people chide me for being more emotional than them.

I don't know but we got far more emotional over putting our dog down than we have about alot of other things that we should have been emotional about. That dog was one of our kids more or less. She smelled funny and had some odd habits (normal to any dog but odd for a human child - let me work this metaphor) but we loved her.

Saying goodbye to my dog last year was by far the hardest thing I've ever gone through.  I will say having enough money that it wasn't a factor made the decision much easier, as I didn't have to wonder if I was making it because of the money.  I paid $1k without hesitating, just to confirm that it was indeed finally time to let my old girl go.  As hard as it was, at least I know I made the right decision for the right reasons.

[BTDretire]

so genre identity is going to be more fluid in the future.

Did you mean, so gender identity is going to be more fluid in the future.
I think that has already started.

[TheGrimSqueaker]

so genre identity is going to be more fluid in the future.

Did you mean, so gender identity is going to be more fluid in the future.
I think that has already started.

It's called a pun.

[mustachepungoeshere]

Two weeks ago a colleague announced she'd bought cheap early-morning flights to go interstate for a couple of days.

Yesterday was her first day back after the trip so she updated us on the drama. They were late leaving home, parked in the wrong section at the airport, and came home to a $385 fine. She thought it was hilarious.

[Tjat]

so genre identity is going to be more fluid in the future.

Did you mean, so gender identity is going to be more fluid in the future.
I think that has already started.

It's called a pun.

I'd tell a chemistry joke now but I know I wouldn't get a reaction.

[Dollar Slice]

I'd tell a chemistry joke now but I know I wouldn't get a reaction.

Q. Why do mustachian chemists use nitrates so much?

A. They're cheaper than the day rates.

[SoccerLounge]

I'd tell a chemistry joke now but I know I wouldn't get a reaction.

Q. Why do mustachian chemists use nitrates so much?

A. They're cheaper than the day rates.

Q. What's the difference between The Mad FIentist's pet rabbit and a clown with a trumpet?

A. One bugles funny and the other's a frugal bunny.

Thank you, thank you. I shall see myself out.

[Kitsune]

From a 63-year-old colleague: I'm replacing my washer and dryer this year, because I don't want any big expenses after I retire.

She clarified that they're running fine, but they might eventually not, so she's replacing them with new ones now "while she has the money".

Not answering "well, replacing things that don't need replacing is WHY you won't have money after retiring" took all my self-control.

[Taran Wanderer]

so genre identity is going to be more fluid in the future.

Did you mean, so gender identity is going to be more fluid in the future.
I think that has already started.

It's called a pun.

I'd tell a chemistry joke now but I know I wouldn't get a reaction.

Stand
   I

[Pooperman]

I'd tell a chemistry joke now but I know I wouldn't get a reaction.

Q. Why do mustachian chemists use nitrates so much?

A. They're cheaper than the day rates.

Q. What's the difference between The Mad FIentist's pet rabbit and a clown with a trumpet?

A. One bugles funny and the other's a frugal bunny.

Thank you, thank you. I shall see myself out.

One day there was a fire in a wastebasket in the office of the Dean of Sciences. In rushed a physicist, a chemist, and a statistician. The physicist immediately starts to work on how much energy would have to be removed from the fire to stop the combustion. The chemist works on which reagent would have to be added to the fire to prevent oxidation. While they are doing this, the statistician is setting fires to all the other wastebaskets in the office. "What are you doing?" the others demand. The statistician replies, "Well, to solve the problem, you obviously need a larger sample size."

[GuitarStv]

I'd tell a chemistry joke now but I know I wouldn't get a reaction.

Q. Why do mustachian chemists use nitrates so much?

A. They're cheaper than the day rates.

That was sodium funny!  All the good chemistry jokes Argon.

[solon]

Yeah, I slapped my neon that one.

[ditheca]

One day there was a fire in a wastebasket in the office of the Dean of Sciences. In rushed a physicist, a chemist, and a statistician. The physicist immediately starts to work on how much energy would have to be removed from the fire to stop the combustion. The chemist works on which reagent would have to be added to the fire to prevent oxidation. While they are doing this, the statistician is setting fires to all the other wastebaskets in the office. "What are you doing?" the others demand. The statistician replies, "Well, to solve the problem, you obviously need a larger sample size."

The fire department shows up and puts out all the fires.  The next day, there is another wastebasket fire!  With a stroke of brilliance, the mathematician quickly sets fire to all the other wastebaskets in the office.  "What are you doing?" the others demand.  The mathematician replies, "Reducing the problem to a previously solved state."

[TheGrimSqueaker]

Two weeks ago a colleague announced she'd bought cheap early-morning flights to go interstate for a couple of days.

Yesterday was her first day back after the trip so she updated us on the drama. They were late leaving home, parked in the wrong section at the airport, and came home to a $385 fine. She thought it was hilarious.

Ouch. This could also have gone in the very awesome "Frugal intentions" thread. Though I can't imagine why she thought it was funny, unless she has a taste for irony.

[zolotiyeruki]

Two weeks ago a colleague announced she'd bought cheap early-morning flights to go interstate for a couple of days.

Yesterday was her first day back after the trip so she updated us on the drama. They were late leaving home, parked in the wrong section at the airport, and came home to a $385 fine. She thought it was hilarious.

Ouch. This could also have gone in the very awesome "Frugal intentions" thread. Though I can't imagine why she thought it was funny, unless she has a taste for irony.

Or maybe she's secretly FI, and so a setback like this isn't such a big deal.

[solon]

Two weeks ago a colleague announced she'd bought cheap early-morning flights to go interstate for a couple of days.

Yesterday was her first day back after the trip so she updated us on the drama. They were late leaving home, parked in the wrong section at the airport, and came home to a $385 fine. She thought it was hilarious.

Ouch. This could also have gone in the very awesome "Frugal intentions" thread. Though I can't imagine why she thought it was funny, unless she has a taste for irony.

Or maybe she's secretly FI, and so a setback like this isn't such a big deal.

Maybe she was going to use the money to finance a wedding.

[LennStar]

National Geographic was bought by Fox

AH! Thank you. That explains a lot. I was headscratching 2 or 3 times a bit back. Not seeing much NG here in Germany, so I was irritated at something that this is also NG.

[mm1970]

One day there was a fire in a wastebasket in the office of the Dean of Sciences. In rushed a physicist, a chemist, and a statistician. The physicist immediately starts to work on how much energy would have to be removed from the fire to stop the combustion. The chemist works on which reagent would have to be added to the fire to prevent oxidation. While they are doing this, the statistician is setting fires to all the other wastebaskets in the office. "What are you doing?" the others demand. The statistician replies, "Well, to solve the problem, you obviously need a larger sample size."

The fire department shows up and puts out all the fires.  The next day, there is another wastebasket fire!  With a stroke of brilliance, the mathematician quickly sets fire to all the other wastebaskets in the office.  "What are you doing?" the others demand.  The mathematician replies, "Reducing the problem to a previously solved state."

I love these jokes.

nerd

[Aeowulf]

One day there was a fire in a wastebasket in the office of the Dean of Sciences. In rushed a physicist, a chemist, and a statistician. The physicist immediately starts to work on how much energy would have to be removed from the fire to stop the combustion. The chemist works on which reagent would have to be added to the fire to prevent oxidation. While they are doing this, the statistician is setting fires to all the other wastebaskets in the office. "What are you doing?" the others demand. The statistician replies, "Well, to solve the problem, you obviously need a larger sample size."

The fire department shows up and puts out all the fires.  The next day, there is another wastebasket fire!  With a stroke of brilliance, the mathematician quickly sets fire to all the other wastebaskets in the office.  "What are you doing?" the others demand.  The mathematician replies, "Reducing the problem to a previously solved state."

You guys are killing me!

*Fights the urge to set wastebaskets on fire to make the workday more interesting.

[MgoSam]

*Fights the urge to set wastebaskets on fire to make the workday more interesting.

I'm also fighting the urge, not just because of making the day more interesting, but because I'm in a foul mood. I can't go to the gym so I can direct my fury towards a bag.

[Goldielocks]

One day there was a fire in a wastebasket in the office of the Dean of Sciences. In rushed a physicist, a chemist, and a statistician. The physicist immediately starts to work on how much energy would have to be removed from the fire to stop the combustion. The chemist works on which reagent would have to be added to the fire to prevent oxidation. While they are doing this, the statistician is setting fires to all the other wastebaskets in the office. "What are you doing?" the others demand. The statistician replies, "Well, to solve the problem, you obviously need a larger sample size."

The fire department shows up and puts out all the fires.  The next day, there is another wastebasket fire!  With a stroke of brilliance, the mathematician quickly sets fire to all the other wastebaskets in the office.  "What are you doing?" the others demand.  The mathematician replies, "Reducing the problem to a previously solved state."

You guys are killing me!

*Fights the urge to set wastebaskets on fire to make the workday more interesting.

What do you get when you cross a cow with an octopus?
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A swift meeting with the ethics committee and immediate reversal of research funding.

[mustachepungoeshere]

Two weeks ago a colleague announced she'd bought cheap early-morning flights to go interstate for a couple of days.

Yesterday was her first day back after the trip so she updated us on the drama. They were late leaving home, parked in the wrong section at the airport, and came home to a $385 fine. She thought it was hilarious.

Ouch. This could also have gone in the very awesome "Frugal intentions" thread. Though I can't imagine why she thought it was funny, unless she has a taste for irony.

Or maybe she's secretly FI, and so a setback like this isn't such a big deal.

She's not easily fazed, and just laughed it off in a 'this could only happen to me' sort of way.

Not FI. I've mentioned her previously: car leases; panic-buying shoes because she wore a mismatched pair to work; has three kids, each with their own bathroom and pays a cleaner instead of giving them pocket money and making them clean their bathrooms.

[MustardTiger]

Co-workers were talking about Yeti cups today.  Now I did get one of these as a gift so I joined in saying yes it is indeed good at being a cup.  She wasn't satisfied with the steel color so took it in for a professional powdercoating with her college colors at an additional cost of 75$.  So an >100$ cup.

[Joggernot]

Co-workers were talking about Yeti cups today.  Now I did get one of these as a gift so I joined in saying yes it is indeed good at being a cup.  She wasn't satisfied with the steel color so took it in for a professional powdercoating with her college colors at an additional cost of 75$.  So an >100$ cup.

We have a local man who will "color dip" your Yeti cup to look camouflaged or anything else that can be done with paint floating on water.

[Papa Mustache]

Wow - either powdercoating got really expensive or she got taken for a ride.

A local place I used had a flat rate. Everything they could powdercoat for a flat rate per hour. So I got three pallets of antique car parts powdercoated for about $100.

By the way, the powdercoating on my coffee cup (not Yeti, much more affordable) is peeling off after a year. Cup works fine. Soon I'll have a nice stainless steel mug. I see it's current condition as a statement on how much it has been used.

[Joggernot]

I found two Starbucks tall coffee cups, with lids, at a garage sale for 25¢ each.  Best cups I've ever had.

[BDWW]

Wow - either powdercoating got really expensive or she got taken for a ride.

A local place I used had a flat rate. Everything they could powdercoat for a flat rate per hour. So I got three pallets of antique car parts powdercoated for about $100.

By the way, the powdercoating on my coffee cup (not Yeti, much more affordable) is peeling off after a year. Cup works fine. Soon I'll have a nice stainless steel mug. I see it's current condition as a statement on how much it has been used.

... Or cut rate powder coating is worth the price you pay?