ROTD thread

[adorshki]

We know the owner, but he's lives " down the hill " somewhere. We could call and tell him to get on them, but the house right next to his has an acre of cars and trucks crammed in the back year like a salvage yard. Clarence has been there and like that for over 27 years and he's quiet. I wish he would get rid of most of them. I think he became a vehicle hoarder.

The cars straight across have the stupid fart tube exhaust too. Sigh.

Got potatoes?

 

[adorshki]

Creeping intrusion of mandatory smart phone possession for access to basic services.
2 years ago my apartment complex installed laundry machines that can only be operated from an app. Requiring of course, some kind of link to a payment provider.

2 weeks ago I wanted to transfer some money from one of my banks to another. The sending bank required a cell phone contact number to send confirmation code to, brand new wrinkle. Called 'em up and explained I don't do that, what can you do for me?
"Sorry, we can't help you"
"Really? When my home phone hasn't changed and voice messaging was ok last month, and I've done transfers between these same 2 accounts several times before?
Kiss my money goodbye".

After a 24-hour cool-off I realized I do want to retain that account as my emergency fund so I'll go ahead and let 'em continue to provide no service charge service based on my credit card account with 'm (zero balance). Take it out of 'em a nickel at a time.

Last month I paid my AT&T bill in 5 different increments to beef up the service charge they pay to Visa by 5x..

 

[chazmo]

I forgot about Farscape! That was a good show. Yeah, Murder She Wrote and others are FreeVee, but I find I don't really mind commercials so much. I just doodle on the computer or go get a beverage or something. Not something I'd cancel Prime over. They took The Adventures of Merlin off Netflix, but I found it on Prime, so I'm thinking of rewatching that one.

Ugh, can't stand freevee, Tom. I pay that $20/mo to avoid commercials! But, seriously, I'm glad you have the tolerance for it because that way you're getting more use out of Amazon then I am. I also find it horrendous that they include all these freevee shows on their home page and there's no way to filter them out. Not that I've found anyway.

 

[chazmo]

Creeping intrusion of mandatory smart phone possession for access to basic services.
2 years ago my apartment complex installed laundry machines that can only be operated from an app. Requiring of course, some kind of link to a payment provider.

2 weeks ago I wanted to transfer some money from one of my banks to another. The sending bank required a cell phone contact number to send confirmation code to, brand new wrinkle. Called 'em up and explained I don't do that, what can you do for me?
"Sorry, we can't help you"
"Really? When my home phone hasn't changed and voice messaging was ok last month, and I've done transfers between these same 2 accounts several times before?
Kiss my money goodbye".

After a 24-hour cool-off I realized I do want to retain that account as my emergency fund so I'll go ahead and let 'em continue to provide no service charge service based on my credit card account with 'm (zero balance). Take it out of 'em a nickel at a time.

Last month I paid my AT&T bill in 5 different increments to beef up the service charge they pay to Visa by 5x..

Al, mind if I ask, what's your objection to smart cellphones? For me, other than hating the big screens (and really liking old flip phones), I'd never go back.

 

[chazmo]

Amazon Prime. I pay a lot of hard-earned money each month for this. I started re-watching an old favorite of mine, Farscape. Great. First season, no commercials, all good. Now start the second season, and you're into FreeVee.... This totally pisses me off. I HATE FreeVee. So, this is a little more than a rant. I'm considering cancelling Prime for a while.

So, the good news is that Farscape is available (with minimal, not-very-commercial ads) on the Roku channel.

The bad news is that my rant still holds. I will probably jettison Prime next month since there's no sign of a new "The Boys" season, and I've watched "The Tick" enough that I won't miss it for a while.

Prime cancelled.

 

[adorshki]

Prime cancelled.

Be a man. Call 'em up and tell 'em to their face. Then change your mind and split your payment into 5 easy increments to increase their card processing costs overhead.

They think they can nickel and dime us to death? We'll retaliate with the kiss of a thousand leeches!

 

[chazmo]

Stay right except to pass... (forgive me my UK friends as you might not get this one).

Yeah, right. Like any of these road boulders gives a damn.

This used to be a California problem but it has migrated to my (not so beloved) Massachusetts. Sigh.

 

[JohnW63]

In California, that rule of thumb may have been suggested long ago. Perhaps in the 40s long ago, as my dad never suggested it me but a friends dad who was much older did to his son.

 

[chazmo]

In California, that rule of thumb may have been suggested long ago. Perhaps in the 40s long ago, as my dad never suggested it me but a friends dad who was much older did to his son.

Well, I'm not that old, John, but I'm saying the road boulder thing in the left lane started by my observation in California. I've traveled across the country quite a lot, and I think that's where it came from. Around the east coast, people used to stay right. It's not true anymore and turns me into a lane weaver.

 

[Opsimath]

There were signs.

"Keep Right Except To Pass"

"Slower Traffic Use Right Lane"

... or something like that. I thought it was common driving knowledge. Is it not?

 

[zulu]

I'm pretty sure Boston is the historical epicenter of bad driving.

 

[walrus]

There were signs.

"Keep Right Except To Pass"

"Slower Traffic Use Right Lane"

... or something like that. I thought it was common driving knowledge. Is it not?

Yes, but you have to factor in not caring, rudeness, and just plain stupidity. And possibly people who simply can't read.

walrus

 

[RBSinTo]

I'm pretty sure Boston is the historical epicenter of bad driving.

zulu,
You've obviously never driven in the City of Markham, which is a large suburb immediately north of Toronto. If you had, you would never even have considered Boston for this dubious honour.
RBSinTo

 

[Uke]

Creeping intrusion of mandatory smart phone possession for access to basic services.
2 years ago my apartment complex installed laundry machines that can only be operated from an app. Requiring of course, some kind of link to a payment provider.

2 weeks ago I wanted to transfer some money from one of my banks to another. The sending bank required a cell phone contact number to send confirmation code to, brand new wrinkle. Called 'em up and explained I don't do that, what can you do for me?
"Sorry, we can't help you"
"Really? When my home phone hasn't changed and voice messaging was ok last month, and I've done transfers between these same 2 accounts several times before?
Kiss my money goodbye".

After a 24-hour cool-off I realized I do want to retain that account as my emergency fund so I'll go ahead and let 'em continue to provide no service charge service based on my credit card account with 'm (zero balance). Take it out of 'em a nickel at a time.

Last month I paid my AT&T bill in 5 different increments to beef up the service charge they pay to Visa by 5x..

"I don't get mad; I just get even."

 

[chazmo]

I'm pretty sure Boston is the historical epicenter of bad driving.

Y'know, I used to think that, but every area that I've been in has its quirks. I actually enjoy driving in Boston at non-traffic times.

 

[JohnW63]

Cynthia,

I have never seen a ""Keep Right Except To Pass"" sign. On hill climbs, I have seen the "slow traffic use right lane" signs. Some slow folks don't seen to realize it means them.

 

[adorshki]

"I don't get mad; I just get even."

Even? Even? Ahahahahahhhhaaaa!!!

They'll rue the day they gave me payment options!!!!
I won't be satisfied until I'm sure I've cost 'em dearly.

 

[chazmo]

Cynthia,

I have never seen a ""Keep Right Except To Pass"" sign. On hill climbs, I have seen the "slow traffic use right lane" signs. Some slow folks don't seen to realize it means them.

Hey, John. Just FYI: Below is from section 7 of the California Driver's Handbook. This is essentially the "stay right except to pass" rule in CA.

Section 7: Laws and Rules of the Road (Continued) - California DMV

Sharing the Road Drivers need to share the road with other vehicles, pedestrians, bicyclists, road workers, and large vehicles. Blind Spots (the No Zone) Large vehicle and truck drivers have a better view in front of them and bigger mirrors. But they also have large blind spots, also called No...

www.dmv.ca.gov

Heavy Traffic or Bad Weather​

You must drive slower when there is heavy traffic or bad weather. At the same time, you should not block normal and reasonable traffic flow by driving too slowly. Do not drive over or under the speed limit. You may be cited if you do. When another driver is close behind you and wishes to drive faster, move to the right. If you choose to drive slower than other traffic, drive in the right lane. Refer to Choosing a Lane in Section 6 for more information.

Also, the "Slower Traffic Keep Right" sign is on this page.

Section 7: Laws and Rules of the Road - California DMV

Traffic Control When at or approaching traffic signals or signs, yield to pedestrians, bicyclists, and other nearby vehicles that may have the right-of-way. See Right of Way Rules: Who Goes First, in this section. Traffic Signals Solid Red Light A red traffic signal light means STOP. You can...

www.dmv.ca.gov

 

[JohnW63]

Chazmo,

The page you linked for the first link, did not mention what you intended. Wrong link, perhaps?

The second link does show a sign would be in place, but it doesn't mean more than if you are a really slow car, stay to the right. As I mentioned with trucks or vehicles with trailers pulling up a hill. It does not mean " Only use the right lane to pass " like was mentioned in the thread. Trust me, I've been driving in this state since 1980. No one is told to stay to the right unless you are passing. All available lanes are filled equally on every freeway.

 

[Opsimath]

Here's a 2019 article with a map showing the left lane rules in different states.

Driving in the left lane: A state-by-state guide to when it's legal, when it's not

As of Nov. 1, if you’re riding in the left lane without passing another car in Alabama, you’ll be pulled over and issued a citation. The new law goes into effect as a means of combating road rage. …

www.goupstate.com

Here's a picture of a sign, but don't know where that is. I'm sure I've seen signs similar to that.