Today's idiot driver

Today's idiot driver

There's at least 0.5 mile of 2 dedicated exit lanes with their stripes painted differently, overhead signs explaining which part of the freeway goes where, etc.

But no, the best choice of action is to speed, cut off a school bus, and cut across not only several lanes of traffic but also the rapidly-disappearing wedge of pavement which will very shortly end at a concrete wall.

imgur.com
u/PlatypusDream — 12 days ago

Opening & sorting through pet food boxes at the store

Saw a guy in the pet food aisle of the grocery today, opening the large multi-pack boxes of wet food cans, pulling some out, putting others in.

I couldn't believe he'd really be such a jerk, so being as condescending as possible I stopped him, told him those sell as an unopened box.

Stop doing that.

If you want singles of specific flavors, those are in the bins just below. (I pointed.)

He laughed. "Is that so?" Kept right on.

After he left the aisle, I took the boxes he opened to the desk, explained the problem & his description. She was shocked too.

Wouldn't he be mad if he bought a box, expecting the contents to be what's on the label, but some asshole had tampered with it??

reddit.com
u/PlatypusDream — 2 months ago

Car doors won't stay locked

2026 Hyundai Venue

Sometimes (not always, which is part of the frustration) when I get into the car, close the door, and lock the doors, there's an alarm & the doors will unlock!

I see this as a safety issue. When I lock the doors, I do it for safety / protection, and I expect them to stay locked.

It's possible but difficult to re-lock during the alarm. (10 seconds?)

So far I've mostly used the lock button by the interior handle.

Did try the lock button on the remote, and it worked to re-lock.

Haven't tried the lock button by the window controls.

The car recognizes the remote to unlock from the outside by both the remote button & pressing the door button.

The car recognizes the remote to start the car.

I tried going to a dealer yesterday & asked at the service desk, but that wasn't helpful. "Maybe the battery is low; look at the light; don't press the door lock button". 🙄

I bought the car new in March. The remote is fine. As stated above, the car recognizes the remote.

Emailed corporate "customer service", which just said to take it to a dealership.

Anyone have insight?

reddit.com
u/PlatypusDream — 2 months ago

Power outage

0528 start
Smallish, "only" 7000+ households.

Woke up from the heat, fans are off. Can't find the big portable battery I know I have, to plug in a fan.

WEnergies thinks 0830 for return of power.

.

ETA: 90 minutes later (0700) it still says a crew is on the way 🤷‍♀️ From where?? Milwaukee isn't that big.

.

Edit 2: Gave up on sleeping. Checked the freezer, ice cream is soft. This definitely started before 0530. How is the power company not aware of areas not using power until customers tell them the power is out?
Bonus: having ice cream for breakfast

.

Edit 3: 0725
Now over 7100 customers impacted. People are starting to wake up. Wonder how many more don't report outages?

.

Edit 4: 0740
Crew is still "on the way". Repair time changed to 1030. 🤬

.

Edit 5: 0945 Crew is on site, estimated time is 1130

.

Edit 6: 1025
Estimated time is noon

.

Edit 7: 1115
Estimated time is 1330 🤬
Attributed to a "pole equipment problem"
Plus now there's a band of rain moving through, adding humidity

.

Edit 8: 1305
Estimated time is now 1500 🤬

.

Edit 9: 1415
Still saying 1500
"Specialized crew needed; WEnergies breaker or fuse problem"
And it's gotten extremely dark again, another round of storms coming through.

reddit.com
u/PlatypusDream — 3 months ago

Is there a remote AC sensor?

My AC just turned on. I'm happy about this!

Only thing is, the sensor is on the main floor & my bedroom is upstairs where it's always hotter.

Is there such a thing as a remote sensor for this situation? Or do I have to install a completely new thermostat?

I can't even see a brand on it, will have to ask the company that installed the furnace & AC.

reddit.com
u/PlatypusDream — 3 months ago

ectatic thoracic aorta

57F; 5' 9.5"; 245lb

No smoking, no illegal drugs

Asthma: albuterol, Advair

Sciatica, arthritis, depression, acid reflux, esophageal hiatial hernia & stricture

Currently on prednisone, azithromycin, & benzonatate for bronchitis (cough duration apx 2 weeks, meds started today & should go through this week)

To ensure I didn't have pneumonia, my PCP had chest x-rays done.

The good news is, I don't have pneumonia.

The concerning news is the title...
The radiologist says the aorta is larger than it should be.

I'm waiting to hear from my doctor on exactly how large, where, and most likely will be seeing a cardiologist (hopefully soon).

I did look for information about this on PubMed, American Heart Association, etc., but am not finding much about this stage of the problem, only once it gets larger & can be called an aneurysm.

**My major question is**: should I be following the guidelines for someone who has an aneurysm (work to keep a lower BP [it's not currently concerning], no heavy lifting, lose weight [which I obviously need to anyway], etc.) or are there different things I should consider?

Side questions:
How frequent is followup imaging, to track if it's enlarging & how fast?
Is there any treatment if it does continue to enlarge?

Thanks!

reddit.com
u/PlatypusDream — 3 months ago

JC Penney clerk didn't explain she was trying to open a new credit card

I took my elderly mother shopping today.

At the checkout, her store credit card didn't work. [It hadn't been used in a while, so maybe the company canceled it?]

The clerk started pestering her for her ID, address, income, SSN, etc., and I finally figured out the clerk was trying to **open a new store card**!!!

(She hadn't explained anything, so mom apparently thought she was updating information to make the existing card work? I was nearby but mom is usually perfectly capable of doing things herself.)

Ended up not going through, so the clerk told mom to call customer service about it & finished the transaction using a regular credit card.

Probably won't get a new store card. Debating contacting the company or consumer protection agency about the fraud, trying to make a new credit card without the informed consent of the customer.

reddit.com
u/PlatypusDream — 3 months ago

Virtual home inspection for new insurance... required, but can't be done

Recently changed insurance companies because I got a new car & the old company decided they wouldn't insure my house any more. (Make it make sense?!)

New company emailed a link where I was supposed to answer some questions, take some pictures.

So I tried.

Something like 8 times, I tried.

First I tried using the "take a picture" option, later I tried the "upload a picture" option... all failed.

I'd get close to halfway on the first page (no idea how many pages or what else they'd ask), it would reload the page & wipe all the data / pictures.

Tried loading 1 picture & save/exit, but the prompt box said it would actually delete the information.

Called "customer service", whose only advice was to let the request expire & eventually someone would be in touch to come look in person.

🙄

I tried asking for an email to send the pictures.

Tried asking for their IT people to fix the error.

Finally agreed that someone could drive by & have a look whenever was convenient.

"Oh no, the procedure is they will call you first. Just driving by would be disrespectful."

🙄, again

Fine, just trying to save some time. They can call & I'll tell them then, "you can drive by any time".

But just so I'm clear, on this recorded line, my new insurance policy will not be canceled, correct?

She said it wouldn't.

Now I'm worried they'll want to get inside the house, instead of having my pictures.

reddit.com
u/PlatypusDream — 4 months ago
▲ 20 r/AskLegal+1 crossposts

I was supposed to start a job Monday, but this cant be legal or enforceable, right? Houston, TX.

This is for a job in Houstom: Texas. The redacted bits are personal information from me and the company. I have not signed this document yet ofcourse.

​

[REDACTED]

Dear:[REDACTED]

[REDACTED] is proud to offer you employment at the position of Technician with compensation of $40.00/hr Flag Rate effective with start date of Monday, June 15th, 2025.

​

​

[REDACTED] is a small business dependent upon a small, skilled work group. The Technician position is critcally important to the daily operations of the [REDACTED] business. During any time during employment, should you decide to cease employment, you will be required to provide a 3 week-notice and provide satisfactory performance each day of the 3 weeks. Should you fail to provide 3 weeks-notice and provide satisfactory performance each day of the 3 weeks, you will be responsible to reimburse the company a Failure to Provide Notice Penalty in the amount of the three highest earning weeks or a minimum of 1,200.00 per week), whichever is greater. Any unpaid wages will be applied toward this penalty. This agreement is necessary to protect the functionality & performance of [REDACTED]. You may be released from employment and the Failure to Provide Notice Penalty during this 3-week period at the discretion of [REDACTED] owner.

​

​

You will be eligible for paid holidays after a 90-day waiting period. Owner will waive this requirement with agreement for minimum 6 months employment or paid holidays within 90-day waiting period will be deducted from final pay or reimbursed. Eligibility for Medical, Dental & Vision benefits will begin after the first 30 days of employment and will begin on the 1st of the month after the first 30 days of employment (August 1st, 2026). Vacation benefits will begin at your 1st year of hire anniversary.

Please sign and return indicating your acceptance of employment and compensa󰀁on agreement.

Sincerely,

[REDACTED], Owner

Acceptance of this Offer of Employment and Compensation:

​

Calculation of Flag Hours:

Weekly Flag Hours will be calculated according to the following Policy:

Prime/Billable Flag Hours, including Free Initial Inspections (such as Free VCC, Free Performance Diagnostics Service, Free AC Inspections, Free Brake Checks) will be tracked and paid based on All-Data & AMS Repair Times.

Warranty Flag Hours will be tracked at the All-Data & AMS Repair Times and paid out at 0.65 times the All Data & AMS Repair Times.

Time Worked Flag Hours that are not Prime/Billable Flag Hours being paid by the customer will be tracked as “Time Worked” and paid out at 0.65 times the “Time Worked”. This allocation is to be used when the work involved doesn’t have an All-Data Time such as miscellaneous shop work or repairs. Leadership will designate when this is the case.

Employees are responsible & required to track your Flag Hours and report them weekly. Failure to provide Flag Rate Tracking Data will result in Failure to Pay as this data/information is required as part of this contract for compensation.

Technicians are responsible for maintaining the shop & shop restroom. This time is unpaid & part of working as a member of the team and maintaining the facility.

In special circumstances for significant repairs, leadership, at its discretion, will determine when repair work will be tracked as Time Worked.

Acknowledgement of Flag Time Tracking Policy:

[REDACTED]

​

Authorization of Payroll Deductions:

I, [REDACTED], authorize [REDACTED], LLC dba [REDACTED] to make payroll deductions according to the Texas Payday Law for any company property not returned in similar condition as provided me, including uniforms, computers, electrical equipment, tools and any other company property. I also authorize

deductions for benefits including medical, dental & vision as elected by me from my employer. I authorize deductions for negligent damage to customers vehicles and/or the shop as determined by shop management/ownership. I authorize charge-backs for any re-work caused by my error as determined by shop management/ownership. I also authorize deductions for any unpaid balances resulting from the “Failure to Provide Notice Penalty” should I fail to provide and fulfill the agreement for the 3- week notice to cease employment.

Authorization of Payroll Deductions:

reddit.com
u/Ok-Wishbone-8127 — 4 months ago

YSK: USA train crossing emergency phone

YSK:

In the USA, many train crossings have a small blue sign with an emergency phone number & an ID number for the crossing.

If there's a problem at the crossing, like a stuck vehicle, CALL THAT NUMBER and they will stop any train which would have come to that crossing.

.

Why YSK:

This could save lives, both on the ground & in the train.

.

ETA: apparently the color depends on which railroad owns the crossing

reddit.com
u/PlatypusDream — 4 months ago

LPT: USA train crossing emergency call

LPT:

In the USA, many train crossings have a small [9x11"] blue sign with an emergency phone number & an ID number for the crossing.

If there's an emergency problem at the crossing, like a stuck vehicle, CALL THAT NUMBER and they will stop any train which would have come to that crossing.

.

ETA: apparently the color depends on which railroad owns the crossing that's Canada; in the USA they're all uniform: blue, 9x11", 1" white letters

reddit.com
u/PlatypusDream — 4 months ago

Went to Conejito's for lunch today. Asked for a glass of water with my meal, but the waitress said "we don't have water", other than bottles for $1.

They should be shut down until this is resolved!

How can they wash dishes?

How can employees wash their hands after they use the bathroom?!

Drinks were provided in glasses with ice, so did they send someone out for ice?

Insanity!

.

And while I support them paying a better wage to employees, the state needs to look into the legality of charging the customer tax on a mandatory tip.

Tax the food, but figure the mandatory tip pre-tax.

reddit.com
u/PlatypusDream — 5 months ago

Took a bunch of kids to a special event downtown. It's only a 2 hour wait, so we're all parked.

Problem is, their 'security' (hired event staff) wants us parked nose to tail. I understand the argument (proposed by my boss) that without kids we're really just a straight truck, so go ahead & make them happy.

Security guy said, "We do this all the time; it's not unsafe!"

You frequently doing something unsafe doesn't make it less unsafe.

I did pull up closer than is safe to the bus ahead. Not sure I could pull away if needed. I'm closer to it than the bus behind is to me. Nobody is bothering that driver.

Despite that, the one security guy banged on my windows & told me I'm not allowed to stay. Me in particular.

I told him 4x "I'm calling my boss to ask if he's OK with this (parking too close)." He tried to say that doesn't matter, kept talking loudly despite me being on the phone.

He tried to make me believe he'd call my boss (he hasn't), but I did call his boss.

Waiting for the local office & site supervisor to get in touch. (As of posting, it's been 30 minutes.)

There's plenty of room, even if we maintained safe spacing. Sometimes there's more buses, so not enough room. Often they make us park "somewhere else" (which isn't given, & is a nightmare downtown).

.

ETA:
Neither the site supervisor nor the local office of the event staff ever contacted me.
Somehow they instead contacted my boss, who was already aware of the problem.
They decided I was OK to stay where I was.

I've decided not to sign up for any more trips to that venue. Not worth the hassle & headache.

reddit.com
u/PlatypusDream — 6 months ago

I drive a school bus as my primary job.

We are fortunate that we don't do to/from school routes, only special trips (sport teams, museum, etc.).

We (drivers) look at the upcoming requests in the schedule book & sign up for what we want to do.

Sometimes the boss asks us to do more, or to swap, but usually not.

Today (Sunday, the one day we almost never work) boss texted me to ask, "you don't want to do the track team trip next Saturday for [school]?"

No. I obviously don't, or I would have signed up for it when I signed up for everything else in May while I was in the office doing that last Friday.

(And while we're at it, don't contact me outside of work hours unless it's important & urgent.)

My reply was, "Nope, the last 3 Saturdays I've done +/- 7am clock-in for events which went most of the day. [Other driver 1] & [other driver 2] can have a few."

Boss responded that [OD1] "won't do Saturdays" & [OD2] "is still on medical leave".

Then said he'd do the trip, but in a way which I read as begrudging & trying to get me to say yes.

To be fair, I knew [OD2] had a medical issue this past week, but not that she'll still be off work by next Saturday. Maybe she will be back, we don't know.

[OD1] not wanting to work sounds like a him problem & a boss problem.

AITA for saying "it's someone else's turn"?

reddit.com
u/PlatypusDream — 6 months ago