What first world problem did you have today?

[lxskllr]

Maybe instead of sending email they should spend the time changing the database forms to let users know what is/isn't required, and things to definitely not do(easy). Even better(harder) would be fixing the database so it can't be so easily broken.

 

[Red Squirrel]

They could also learn how to sanitize data so that they don't need to tell people what characters not to use.

 

[lxskllr]

There was a young squirrel ~6' outside my backdoor. It was facing downward on my oak, and looked particularly photogenic. Problem was I didn't have my phone on me to take a picture. This is an ongoing problem. I never have a camera on me when I really want one. At least it kept me and the cats enthralled for a few minutes.

 

[highland145]

How do you take a tin can photo?

 

[lxskllr]

How do you take a tin can photo?

Camera obscura - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

I then pencil in over the image on a piece of paper.

 

[highland145]

Ha, leave it to you.

Win, good sir.

 

[QueBert]

So I suck and never learned how to properly use a ratchet strap. I have one that somehow got overtightened & mangled. Getting it untangled and usable was by far one of the most frustrating things I've done in a long time. It reminded me of trying to untangle a headphone cord when I was little, but 10x harder.

I don't know how it got that bad, but it took me what felt like an hour to get it separated. Respect to anyone who know how to properly use these fuckers. Because I was about 10 minutes away from throwing it away and buying another. But I figured I'd somehow fuck it up too and have to do the same shit.

 

[lxskllr]

Ratchet straps are a hassle. I have little use for them for my purposes. They have their place on semi trucks and really heavy duty stuff, but everything I need can be done with a truckers hitch. Learn it, love it. Using hardware(S hook, cheap carabiner, pulley...) on sliding surfaces is easier on the line, and easier to tension. You won't look like the dumbasses carrying treasure home from homedepot with the load ready to blow off the car, and their hand futilely "holding" the load.

Trucker's hitch - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[lxskllr]

There was a young squirrel ~6' outside my backdoor. It was facing downward on my oak, and looked particularly photogenic. Problem was I didn't have my phone on me to take a picture. This is an ongoing problem. I never have a camera on me when I really want one. At least it kept me and the cats enthralled for a few minutes.

My squirrel came back, but it didn't stay long and wasn't as attractively posed. My cat let me know it was out there.



Here's a bonus beetle that was in my woodstove a couple days ago...

 

[highland145]

@QueBert
I have an engineering degree and they baffle me. Shouldn't they work more intuitively? Obliviosly not.

Switched to the clamp style.

 

[Red Squirrel]

I got decent at using ratchet straps but it's a pain if they get tangled or if the strap does not go in flat. Then they jam up. You need to make sure to tug on it and say "that's not going anywhere" though.

Today's FWP: My truck has a big exhaust leak and finally decided to get it fixed so brought it in for repairs. Turns out it's the catalytic converter that's busted. It's only 3 years old so not sure why it's already bad. Those go for like $1,400 now but my mechanic found one online for $800. Still weird that the one that he replaced years ago is already bad though... Hopefully this one lasts longer.

I really need to start thinking about a new truck but they're so expensive now, and not much on the used market, and pretty much nothing that has 8 foot box. I'm even humoring getting an old diesel flat bed or bread truck or something for hauling, and then a small car for regular driving. But then I have to pay 2x insurance. The regular pickup trucks are not even really designed for hauling anymore which is annoying.

 

[pete6032]

I got decent at using ratchet straps but it's a pain if they get tangled or if the strap does not go in flat. Then they jam up. You need to make sure to tug on it and say "that's not going anywhere" though.

Today's FWP: My truck has a big exhaust leak and finally decided to get it fixed so brought it in for repairs. Turns out it's the catalytic converter that's busted. It's only 3 years old so not sure why it's already bad. Those go for like $1,400 now but my mechanic found one online for $800. Still weird that the one that he replaced years ago is already bad though... Hopefully this one lasts longer.

I really need to start thinking about a new truck but they're so expensive now, and not much on the used market, and pretty much nothing that has 8 foot box. I'm even humoring getting an old diesel flat bed or bread truck or something for hauling, and then a small car for regular driving. But then I have to pay 2x insurance. The regular pickup trucks are not even really designed for hauling anymore which is annoying.

So he found a stolen catalytic converter to install on your car...

 

[Stopsignhank]

First world problem. I was at the fair today and wanted to get my annual old tyme ice cream bar. Last year I went with the chocolate ice cream bar and chocolate sprinkles. This year I decided to go with a vanilla bar with regular sprinkles.



Walked all around the fair and did not find them. They are not at the fair this year. What a bummer. Had to stop at Dairy Queen and get a Reese's peanut butter cup Blizzard with extra Reese's. It was good but just not the same.

 

[Red Squirrel]

So he found a stolen catalytic converter to install on your car...

I was joking about that actually, I could go to the homeless shelter ask if anyone has one, they would get me one for like $100 by next day. Problem is, they'd probably just steal the other one off my truck and sell it back to me... lol.

 

[QueBert]

I got decent at using ratchet straps but it's a pain if they get tangled or if the strap does not go in flat. Then they jam up. You need to make sure to tug on it and say "that's not going anywhere" though.

Today's FWP: My truck has a big exhaust leak and finally decided to get it fixed so brought it in for repairs. Turns out it's the catalytic converter that's busted. It's only 3 years old so not sure why it's already bad. Those go for like $1,400 now but my mechanic found one online for $800. Still weird that the one that he replaced years ago is already bad though... Hopefully this one lasts longer.

I really need to start thinking about a new truck but they're so expensive now, and not much on the used market, and pretty much nothing that has 8 foot box. I'm even humoring getting an old diesel flat bed or bread truck or something for hauling, and then a small car for regular driving. But then I have to pay 2x insurance. The regular pickup trucks are not even really designed for hauling anymore which is annoying.

You're not lying, I rarely get frustrated but I was upset at this fucker. And to add insult to injury, I watched a 2nd YT video and was so confident I understood them.when BOOM I managed to get it tangled up again my next try, not nearly as bad but it took a few attempts to get the strap out. In the videos they open it and the strap seems to just magically pulls out, even after the 2nd video where I figured it out better, I still don't have a grasp on loosening it.

And the icing on the shit cake, It doesn't even work for what I thought I could use it for ha. Or maybe it does and I just really suck. But either way, I'm officially done with ratchet straps

 

[Red Squirrel]

I find the trick is to sometimes pull the strap completely out of the metal part and redo it from scratch. Then reinsert it in the slot, pull it so it's semi tight, THEN start to ratchet. That way you're only ratcheting a small amount of the strap around the shaft, as there is a limit to how many turns they'll do, then you just wrap the excess tail around something so it's not flapping in the wind.

 

[QueBert]

I find the trick is to sometimes pull the strap completely out of the metal part and redo it from scratch. Then reinsert it in the slot, pull it so it's semi tight, THEN start to ratchet. That way you're only ratcheting a small amount of the strap around the shaft, as there is a limit to how many turns they'll do, then you just wrap the excess tail around something so it's not flapping in the wind.

OH LORD I overratched it and getting the cord out required near Hercules level strength. Okay maybe not, but for how weak I am I really thought I would never get it apart again. WHY do they make it that long when you can tighten it to the point it's just about impossible to revert back to the start? Whoever designed these, fuck them! They are now on my list with whoever came up with the original USB connector, and whoever designed the uhh Intel 1155 socket heatsink or whatever the #. The one with the 4 plastic push pins where 1 would always bend on me while installing.

Every time I plug in a USB 3 cable I say fuck Intel in my head, memories of the original will always be angry.

 

[Lost_in_the_HTTP]

Ratchet straps are among the most simple things ever invented. Hook both ends, insert strap in slot, pull taut, ratchet tight. I may have close to thirty stashed in vehicles, on the tractor and in the shed and garage.

I also use them for minor levels of pulling like getting a post plumb before tamping ground.

Once the straps age, you have to watch for fraying and nicks. A few that got too bad got cut off and are now used to hold a shed door shut instead of buying expensive door latches.

 

[sdifox]

I have serious doubts about people that can't use a rachet strap properly.

 

[highland145]

I have serious doubts about people that can't use a rachet strap properly.

I trust my adopted child's dad to fix a nuclear reactor but not get out of the rain.

 

[sactoking]

Just got the final estimate: they want $25,000 to put a new engine into a vehicle I paid $9,000 for 3.5 years ago.

Follow up: the dealership keeps sending me emails reminding me that I declined the recommended service and any subsequent damage is my own fault. I keep ignoring them.

This time they sweetened the pot to get me to bite: $50 of the estimate for the declined service.

$25,000 was too much but $24,950? What a bargain!

 

[highland145]

Storming. How am I suppose to burn beef on the grill in the rain?

 

[Fenixgoon]

Follow up: the dealership keeps sending me emails reminding me that I declined the recommended service and any subsequent damage is my own fault. I keep ignoring them.

This time they sweetened the pot to get me to bite: $50 of the estimate for the declined service.

25,000 was too much but $24,950? What a bargain!

so you're gonna take them up on that hot deal right?

have you already found a replacement vehicle or going on the hunt for one?

 

[Indus]

I have serious doubts about people that can't use a rachet strap properly.

I have 6 of them. 4 Husky I use pretty regularly from home depot that work good.

2 Haul-Master I bought from Harbor Freight that are giving me problems.. I can't exactly get them to unjam.

I'm thinking cheap quality but I'd sure like to master using them too.

 

[sdifox]

Storming. How am I suppose to burn beef on the grill in the rain?

Garage