Rants *enter at own risk*

[doughty]

SSRI discontinuation syndrome...I has it. Totally feel like Nick Nolte's mugshot looks.

[DrewDale]

rant: Here (in the UK at least) I'm getting pretty cheesed off at all the Christmas adverts on the TV, It's still November! and people are putting up festive lights.

I must be getting old and developing "grumpy ol man syndrome"

Edited November 26, 2012 by DrewDale

[Ego Eram Reputo]

Add one more to the Grinch Gang

[minners71]

Add me as well, bloody christmas

[Red ochre]

Not just me then

[barbieq25]

Me Grinch too

[HELEN]

Okay, it's the reverse where I live. There are Christmas lights up, but no Christmas music in stores or in malls. If something is playing, it's put on so softly that we can almost hear nothing. There's no Christmas spirit at all.

[AGJM]

Turns out I was mis-instructed on how to do a chin up (I would only bring my elbows down to a 90 degree angle. You're supposed to let your arms go all the way down at a 180 degree angle, hanging them vertically. I was only doing half of one each time, and using different muscles). I learned this a couple of weeks ago, but I didn't share it. I'm able to do about half a real one, now, and I'm still going at my workout things strong. I'm just upset that I had thought I was doing far better than I actually was.

Anyways, back to try another one now. I have no homework tonight, either, so I'll be playing my Xbox. Except I've been doing it standing up since I moved into my new house a few months ago, and I'm going to start doing 25 push-ups every time I die or see a load screen. I'm going 5 days on, 2 days off on the workouts - the two days off I'll use to do whatever the heck I feel like, I guess. Anyways, I'm going to double the amount of push ups and chin ups I do next week. The week after that, I'll start going to the gym (preferably on Tuesdays and Thursdays) and using the treadmills. I hate running outside - I feel like I have a bunch of spectators when I run outside. The treadmills also have a problem - if you flat out run (I guess it's not really a treadmill - one of those machines with the two foot pedals that move like a bike - that you use standing up of course) then the pedals pick up in speed without you meaning for them to, and it can get painful. My time on a three mile run is between 26 & 27 minutes - I want that to be 18 minutes by the time I'm out of high school. I'm taking things slow so that I'll stick with it.

Edit:

After - what, 45 minutes? - I've done 125 or 150 (I'm not sure, so I'm going with 125) push ups at a randomized pace (I've gone between 30 seconds and 5-10 minutes between them) and had a good time doing it. I think this may be my new favorite method of doing them. After another set of push-ups, I'll start doing crunches until I get 150 of them. Then I'll just stand up and play and do any more I want to. I do enjoy exercising, actually, so I may do a few more sets. I'll wait to take a shower at around 7:30 - 8:00 or so, so that I don't make myself stop so that I won't need another shower.

Edited November 28, 2012 by AGJM

[minners71]

^Make sure you are eating plenty of protein ( 1 hour before and straight after plus the next morning )otherwise it's all for nothing. As for press ups you will get more out of them by putting your feet up on something such as the end of the bed and aim to do 3 sets of 12 with about 45seconds in between reps.

[Ego Eram Reputo]

^ Remember: PAIN is weakness leaving the body

[AGJM]

My history teacher is awful. I've finally gotten to composing a rough draft of all of the problems in her class. I'll revise it quite heavily. I'm still angry that I sit through a class where a teacher insults Christianity - at a Christian school. She promotes the Jewish culture, saying that they "are valued over Christians, in God's eyes, because they acknowledge that the messiah was God's original plan - not something new. Jewish people follow the older rituals, which makes their religion harder - which means it is valued more."

Then there is the test where I knew all of the material about it, wrote a five paragraph essay on it, and had points taken off for using the (fine and proper) English word "Things", which was on the rubric - and because my last paragraph "wasn't a paragraph" because it was only two sentences. She never specified that she wanted her paragraphs between three and five sentences. Here's what I wrote on the topic:

She will yell at the students for any correction on her spelling or grammar. Then she expects us to have perfect grammar on our tests and quizzes. If she can misspell “Absolute” as “Absoulte” on the board and yell at us for correcting her on it, then why can she take off for a grammar problem (such as a two-sentence conclusion paragraph) when it wasn’t listed in the rubric for writing it? The paragraph incident was on an essay for a test, in which we had to write a five paragraph essay comparing and contrasting two civilizations. I got full points on actually knowing the material – the part that is important – but I had points removed due to using the fine and proper English word “things” in a sentence, “Both [Athens and Sparta] shared several similarities – in things such as architecture, art, and their general culture – but there were many more differences.” Of course, I can’t really complain about that, since it was written down on the instructions. What wasn’t written down was that the conclusion sentence has to be 3 to 5 sentences, or else it doesn’t count as a paragraph. The rubric says, “Fifth paragraph restates the thesis and does not contain specific details”. My fifth paragraph reads, “These traits – their views on life, their warfare, & their government – sculpted the identities of these two ancient civilizations. If not for these, much of history would be far, far different.” I wrote a paragraph that flowed well. If I had cut it up, it would have been choppy and read poorly. I couldn’t add another sentence with new details, as it would be counted off for having specific details. I lost points for that paragraph being two sentences. Her note read “Need more than two sentences.” I didn’t see that anywhere on the rubric. I asked her about it, and she said that “A paragraph is three or more sentences. You need more than two sentences.” She said that I was in ninth grade and in honors, so I needed to step it up. I mentioned that there really isn’t a set length for a paragraph, and she got mad and walked away. She wouldn’t deal with it. She could have at least mentioned that she had a specific length for her paragraphs – a minimum of three and a maximum of five – so that I would have known what her personal preference was, and could have found a way to work an extra sentence in to suit her tastes. I didn’t know that doing exactly what she asked for and covering the topic accurately (I didn’t get a single point off for missing details or facts or anything of the sort – the things that are supposed to be tested for) wasn’t enough. How could I have? I can’t read minds. She doesn’t give instructions, but she expects us to know how she wants us to do things. It simply isn’t fair. And note that the rubric also grades us on transitions, but, as trial and error will teach you, you aren’t supposed to have a transition in your conclusion, because, as she says, “I already know it’s your conclusion. I don’t need to be told what the paragraph is.” It insults her intelligence, I understand. But can I ask her to recognize that her acting like we don’t know what the Rubicon was insults my intelligence? And acting like we are immature and dumb, and later telling us to step it up because we’re old and smart? She changes everything at her convenience, to make sure that she gets what she wants from us.

Her class isn't fair. She deserves to be fired - what she does is abusive, and it effects our education and our futures - colleges look at those grades, even the ones that are brought down at her fault for not telling us about homework being due, changing due dates without telling us, giving tests on material that she didn't cover, and so on and so forth. We don't deserve to have to put up with her.

[nitenurse79]

^ Remember: PAIN is weakness leaving the body

I love this forum

[Ego Eram Reputo]

My history teacher is awful.

...

Her class isn't fair.

Not to belittle your complaints - but who told you life was going to be fair? Lots of us don't like our family/job/colleagues/employer. I dislike my job and yet I bring up 30 years service next February.

You learn to roll with it or waste your life fighting against something that you probably can't change.

I think you're a creative guy. I would like to see what you can come up with if you stopped wasting your energy on the small stuff & concentrated instead on something that makes you happy.

[RedBeard]

I don't usually post in this forum because, quite frankly, I'm not one to rant about things I can't change. But once in a while something happens that rubs me the wrong way and I just have to vent, and this seems as good a place as any to do just that.

I read water meters for a contracting company called Tru-Check Utility Metering Solutions. They've had the contract with the county for about eleven years now. I started in June after being unemployed for almost a year and things seemed to be looking up. That is, until last week, when the regional manager came in and announced that they had lost the contract with the county to another company that put in a lower bid. So now, as of January 1st, I'm out of a job again, unless I can find something between now and then.

Which brings me to my next point: the online application process. It's so impersonal! When did computer algorithms replace human intuition? I used to be able to walk into a place of employment, fill out an application, hand it to the manager, shake their hand, look them in the eye, talk with them for a bit, and we'd both get an idea of what the other was about. Now, it's all about "keywords" and credit checks, and if you fall short in either category, your resume is never seen by human eyes. The internet is a wonderful thing, but in this age of information technology, I can't help but wonder if we haven't lost as much as we've gained.

[AGJM]

Not to belittle your complaints - but who told you life was going to be fair? Lots of us don't like our family/job/colleagues/employer. I dislike my job and yet I bring up 30 years service next February.

You learn to roll with it or waste your life fighting against something that you probably can't change.

I think you're a creative guy. I would like to see what you can come up with if you stopped wasting your energy on the small stuff & concentrated instead on something that makes you happy.

If I hadn't put that last bit in there, you likely wouldn't have said that.

It's not something that can't change - teachers can be fired. It's a Christian school, and I have to sit through a class where the teacher belittles Christianity. She's got a short fuse with everyone, and doesn't own up to her own job. Heck, look at the freaking economy right now. A job shouldn't be wasted by someone who doesn't deserve it. We don't need her.

Also, things that make me happy tend to be expensive objects, computer programs, and generally things that I can't obtain. Although that makes great material to base poems off of - happiness seeming unobtainable. Anyways, I was coming here to comment about how I want some sort of program to make music with, one that's better than Garage Band. But I can't afford one.

[RedBeard]

Can you apply for a job with the competitors ?

I could apply for a job with the people taking over the contract, but I just can't see burning the same amount of gas to get to work and busting my hump just as hard as I do now for a $2/hour cut in pay.

@AGJM: Look, I don't know you, but from what I've read of your posts, it sounds to me like you just enjoy pushing your teacher's buttons. The fact of the matter is, teachers in this country are overworked and underpaid. They're the first ones to show up and last to leave, and to top it off, they have to deal with dozens of smart-mouth kids every day. It wouldn't hurt you to cut her some slack and quit "correcting" her spelling. Everyone makes mistakes, and quite frankly, that's pretty condescending on your part. It serves no purpose other than to get her riled up so you have something to post about here. And before you go rattling off about how she should be fired because she "insults Christianity", just remember that she most likely has a family that depends on her having that job. The "Christian" thing for you to do would be to try putting yourself in her shoes once in a while.

Edited December 1, 2012 by RedBeard

[AGJM]

I had teachers who threw black board dusters and sometimes bunches of keys or whatever was at hand. One had a thin metal rod and you did not want to get to know it. A short, sharp shock, it certainly was. I didn't dare tell my parents because I would have gotten into even more trouble.

30 years later I'd be more than happy for my kids to have the same teachers

... the material things ? Get a part-time job. Lots of other kids do

Did they hit you for asking if the teacher could at least announce the homework? My history teacher was yelling at us for asking just that.

And I've had a teacher that threw erasers and tennis balls, and I loved his class.

Also, it's somewhat illegal for me to be working right now - they refer to it as "child labor".

I could apply for a job with the people taking over the contract, but I just can't see burning the same amount of gas to get to work and busting my hump just as hard as I do now for a $2/hour cut in pay.

@AGJM: Look, I don't know you, but from what I've read of your posts, it sounds to me like you just enjoy pushing your teacher's buttons. The fact of the matter is, teachers in this country are overworked and underpaid. They're the first ones to show up and last to leave, and to top it off, they have to deal with dozens of smart-mouth kids every day. It wouldn't hurt you to cut her some slack and quit "correcting" her spelling. Everyone makes mistakes, and quite frankly, that's pretty condescending on your part. It serves no purpose other than to get her riled up so you have something to post about here. And before you go rattling off about how she should be fired because she "insults Christianity", just remember that she most likely has a family that depends on her having that job. The "Christian" thing for you to do would be to try putting yourself in her shoes once in a while.

I liked her until I saw how she graded things. I treated her with respect before I disrespected her - my disrespect is a retaliation of her disrespect towards all of the students. Yes, they are the first to arrive and the last to leave, but that's no excuse for absolutely disregarding what she is supposed to do as a teacher. It's condescending on her part to tell me to "step it up" and stop using the word "things" (and take points off for using it) even though I worked hard to write an essay that was perfectly accurate on the context, or to count off on a current event because I wrote the date as 11/29/2012 instead of "29th November 2012". She has a family, but it doesn't depend on her having her job. Her children are all married off. She's an "empty-nester", so to speak. Christians need to help the broken, and love on people that are spiteful towards others - but they aren't called to let themselves be abused and do nothing to help the said person. Of course, I'm just a freaking "rebelious youth", right? I can't be trusted, can I? I must be making this up - no teacher ever does anything wrong! I'm probably just mad about the workload or the bad grades that are all my fault, because I'm young and lazy. Right? Because obviously, it's all to get the "hard" teacher to get fired because she's doing a good job. Right? Right?

Fricking wrong.

Let me elaborate:

If the American government were to force all American adults to attend a 45-minute class on why the minority was better than the majority, there would be an outcry. If the American government were to make a change in taxes and not notify anyone and still fine everyone for not conforming to the tax change, there would be an outcry.

In my class, I had to attend a 45-minute lesson as to why being a Jew is better than being a Christian.

She changed the due date of a current event and didn't let anyone know - and still penalized everyone for turning it in late.

It isn't right. She needs to make better judgement calls.

I had liked her at the beginning of the year, but I quickly retracted that opinion of her when I saw how she graded and everything. The only times she'll actually own up to her own job and say, give me access to the notes that they went over while I was sick or make up an assignment that I missed because I was sick with an excused absence are when I get my parents involved and e-mail the Dean/Principal along with her.

Do note that this is at a private, Christian school that my parents pay $7,000 per year to send me to.

Edited December 1, 2012 by AGJM

[Kemaru]

AGJM. I know it seems difficult when you are upset about things, but judging by your rants and posts, you need to learn to let these things go and calm down a bit.

I use this thread to write down things I'm upset about so I can look at my thoughts later, more clearly and from a distance. Does writing long posts about a teacher's wrongdoings help you to feel better and less upset? If so, keep doing it by all means. If it doesn't, try to find a more constructive approach to dealing with what life gives you.

Rant: I can't seem to find nice, inexpensive black-and-white striped socks anywhere. And my favourite textile/fashion brand's online shop has outrageously high shipping costs, 5.90€ for delivering the order to the closest retailer, 9.90€ for home delivery. It's almost double the regular costs.

[jim100361]

AGJM: The owner of our company is always injecting himself into operations at work, and yet he doesn't know the specific processes that any individual department goes through to accomplish their jobs. So I often ask myself, how can this man be telling people what to do and/or how to do something, if he's unfamiliar with the specifics?

I know this is somewhat vague without giving specific examples, but the fact remains that he micromanages from this standpoint and as a result creates more internal red-tape than currently exist and still expecting the same, if not more, work gets accomplished in the same 8 hour day.

It's infuriating. But as others have pointed out, it's life and life is unfair. Now I know you don't have the capability to simply leave like I (theoretically) can with my job (quit), but where would that leave me? Jobless and risking the welfare of the rest of my family. With the economic outlook throughout the US (worldwide for that matter), I don't think it would be wise for me to be without work. I am in essence shackled to the job. I don't generally talk about personal things like I'm about to do next, but it might give you a little insight:

I have a son who is in his 20s. My son is severely autistic. He doesn't speak, is still in diapers and he has no fine motor skills. As a result, there are a great many things he cannot do for himself, nor can he express anything. If he is ill, we need to be able to figure these things out without any verbal input from him. Since he turned 18, we are no longer considered his parents, rather he is a ward of the state, and we are simply his guardians.

This puts me in more of a bind about simply walking away from a job.

I'm not saying, "look dude, I've got more problems than you", nor am I saying that I want or need other's sympathy (which is why I've never expressed some of these things publicly). All I'm saying is that we all have things that we must do whether we like them or not, and we need to simply deal with them as best as we can. As a Christian you should probably remember this:

²¹ Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”

²² Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.

²³ “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. ²⁴ As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold^[b] was brought to him. ²⁵ Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.

²⁶ “At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ ²⁷ The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.

²⁸ “But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins.^[c] He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded.

²⁹ “His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’

³⁰ “But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. ³¹ When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened.

³² “Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. ³³ Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ ³⁴ In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.

³⁵ “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”

So try not to seek revenge or retaliation against your teacher, rather take the apples you have and try to make applesauce.

Edited December 3, 2012 by jim100361

[RedBeard]

Well said, Jim.

[pyrochild]

guilty

[doughty]

Above average temps in mid west, I'm wearing sandals (with no socks!)

Oops, not a rant.

Rant: Sleeping to much.

[barbieq25]

If that is true EER - PAIN is weakness leaving the body, then some of us should be strong as an ox. Love the thought & I will try to keep that in mind. 

 

RANT: Anyone get the number of that truck? Man, I so hate being sick. Lawn to mow, car to wash, housework, washing...it just sits & laughs at me coz at the mo all I can do is breathe. Ultimatum to body: get better by morning or you are going to do all those things anyway!

 

AGJM saga: kicking against the goads. Lovely thoughts expressed by Jim & Red Beard. Makes me pleased to still be a teacher. Even more pleased that I teach adults & that I am in Australia...

 

Welshy, that is awful. I dunno what'd be worse - the trippy feeling or the pain. I hope things improve for you.

[Ego Eram Reputo]

Welshy & Barbieq25 : I only use that flippant comment in relation to exercise induced pain. I meet a lot of people who suffer real pain. It's no joke.

Hope both of you are feeling better soon!

[AGJM]

Welshy & Barbieq25 : I only use that flippant comment in relation to exercise induced pain. I meet a lot of people who suffer real pain. It's no joke.

Hope both of you are feeling better soon!

Isn't it a Marine's quote?  

Edit:

I've been sick for a week, and I started feeling better yesterday, and I was better for most of today.

I think I'm getting sick again, now, though.  

Edited December 9, 2012 by AGJM