Little things that annoy the hell out of you

[Shepardus]

I just got hit with $16,000 in medical bills. I'm thinking about declaring bankruptcy.

I'm also on my last chance to pass my cdl test that I've failed twice. If I don't pass it the next time in about eight days I'm either going to be fired or have to take substantial pay cut at work.

Ouch, that doesn't sound like a "little thing." Best of luck to you, I hope you make it through. :/

People who are quick to go "OH NOOOOOOOOOOOO MUH GAYMES ARE GETTING CASUALIZED" because that's what makes you sound "hardcore". Case in point: the reaction to TH15's Pointdevice mode and Fire Emblem If's Phoenix mode.

Reminds me of how everybody complained (and still complains) that adding a loadout system ruined FFA's skill cap in Quake Live, when nobody took the mode seriously to begin with. They just keep complaining that if everybody can spawn with a rocket launcher or an LG that you can't prevent yourself from getting killed from behind occasionally, without taking into consideration that that's what happens in any chaotic FFA game regardless and the best player should still consistently win, nor considering all the times a skilled player can't do anything because he spawned in the middle of a firefight with only a machine gun. For TDM the complaints carry a bit more legitimacy, but that's it really, as the rest of the gamemodes are barely changed, if at all (and if you really care you can still spawn a server with the old rules). And please, if you really think auto-bunnyhop ruins the game you need to have a long hard look at yourself in the mirror because real strafe-jumping still works far better.

[Skykid]

Sometimes the changes aren't actually corrosive.

Sorry I just thought you were talking about games getting casualised generally; I didn't know you were talking about whining weeaboos. Carry on.

[Ed Oscuro]

Soy saus...in prastic (((

There's an old SF story from the '60s (which I probably last read when the N64 was still getting games, if not earlier) about a guy who gets piss-drunk brilliant. Totally blacked out afterwards, just an average joe when he's sober, but one time he gets so smashed that he makes a robot which is itself so brilliant it steals an extremely valuable diamond to use in some amazing scheme or other. Of course, sober-side joe has to sort it out.

The story's parting shot comes at the end, when he discovers that the unique ingredient to his brilliant pissdrunkery is being put to a halt - the traditional German brewer sends all its loyal customers a note of regrets that the traditional aluminum cans were to be replaced with plastic. Well, it probably shows the age of the story - cans really are coated with aluminum, and have been for at least an extremely long time...but you get the point. Worst dystopian future ever - even 1984's nauseating Victory Gin comes in bottles.

I'd seriously prefer taking soy sauce out of one of those ubiquitous Kikkoman glass vases which come with no guarantee of not having been used in part of an impromptu fuel siphon. Probably never happened, but...at least the glass doesn't mess with the taste. I don't know whether it's just the exotic brand local sources of fine Chinese cuisine use (Kari-Out, Co., from the Orient: White Plains of the New York), but I'm betting the thermal properties of plastic have something to do with the sauce tasting like soy jenkem after stewing under a tub of sing chow mai fun - the tub, of course, is made of paper coated in wax.

I just got hit with $16,000 in medical bills. I'm thinking about declaring bankruptcy.

Oww Best of luck to you. I'm sure you've looked at this, but some hospitals have a charitable arm that allows them to write off some expenses and free you from the bill.

[Skykid]

I just got hit with $16,000 in medical bills. I'm thinking about declaring bankruptcy.

I'm also on my last chance to pass my cdl test that I've failed twice. If I don't pass it the next time in about eight days I'm either going to be fired or have to take substantial pay cut at work.

Ouch, that doesn't sound like a "little thing."

Definitely sounds like an American thing. Privatised health care is the one thing I fear the most. If the Conservatives try to dismantle the NHS I think we should burn down parliament and change Guy Fawkes to a figure of hero worship.

Really hope you come through it all ok. Shitty circumstances

[Squire Grooktook]

People who are quick to go "OH NOOOOOOOOOOOO MUH GAYMES ARE GETTING CASUALIZED" because that's what makes you sound "hardcore".

What makes you think they're not hardcore? Groups in opposition to corrosive trends tend to be considered radicals.

In FE:If's case, it's just an optional easy mode. Something that's been a huge part of gaming since the beginning. It's a bit excessive, but Contra 1's Konami Code wasn't much worse. I do feel people who complain about Pheonix Mode are over-reacting or trying too hard.

As for Touhou, I'm kind of worried about Pointdevice. Not from a difficulty standpoint, just hoping Zun doesn't decide checkpoints are the future of shmups and phases out "legacy mode". I'm personally glad checkpoints kind of died out for the most part tbh. I feel they break the flow (personal taste though).

Sometimes the changes aren't actually corrosive.

Sorry I just thought you were talking about games getting casualised generally; I didn't know you were talking about whining weeaboos. Carry on.

Oops, missed this post lol.

[MOSQUITO FIGHTER]

I just got hit with $16,000 in medical bills. I'm thinking about declaring bankruptcy.

Oww Best of luck to you. I'm sure you've looked at this, but some hospitals have a charitable arm that allows them to write off some expenses and free you from the bill.

Yeah, I applied for it. But you have to have a disability, not own a car, have been unemployed for so long, etc to qualify. I make about two grand over qualifying for financial aid. And on top of that they factor in anyone living in the household into the income. That pushed me way out of it all together. Which is stupid. It's not like I have access to my Mom's bank account.

Thanks guys. At least I'm still alive and kicking.

[Specineff]

It doesn't annoy me so much, but I sometimes wonder if it's because I'm a foreigner and there are nuances in the English language I don't get, or if my mind is not up to the level of comedic brilliance the authors put in their work, or because one needs to join/pay to see editions that aren't available to the general public, that a lot of Penny Arcade's comics/stories make zero f***ing sense to me. Sometimes it feels like they made an in-joke that's not really funny at all, but that you need to go digging into their forums for three hours to get some context and understand it.

[Xyga]

It doesn't annoy me so much, but I sometimes wonder if it's because I'm a foreigner and there are nuances in the English language I don't get, or if my mind is not up to the level of comedic brilliance the authors put in their work, or because one needs to join/pay to see editions that aren't available to the general public, that a lot of Penny Arcade's comics/stories make zero f***ing sense to me. Sometimes it feels like they made an in-joke that's not really funny at all, but that you need to go digging into their forums for three hours to get some context and understand it.

It's all inside jokes and references of just-in modern tech culture news, if you're over 30 like me chances you will never catch up with their shit. Yeah it's probably 'funny' for people who spend 8 hours a day on reddit/twitter and checking every RSS entry about boring stuff, that's it.

[the_last_shmupper]

People still talking about Gamergate. Its the only topic that sticks around longer than a week or two. Looking through Wordpress, there's always two or three Gamergate topics from 1st time posters that just opened up their account. Its not even what side they take, its that they're still making it happen. Someone somewhere has just heard about Gamergate for the first time.

--------------------------

Graphic designers that consistently come in over budget and ask for more money. I can understand once or twice, but if I was quoted something and 4 of the 5 projects they ask for more money, its an issue. I still pay them their extra demand. Then I just go to a different graphic designer. After 3 designers that have wanted more money when handing in the work, I'm wondering if its just a normal thing. I don't even go with the cheapest designers, I value what I feel is the best designer.

One designer that I opted not to go with asked.... do you have a kickstarter? No. Why should I get one? He said oh because then I can charge more lol.

[Mischief Maker]

It doesn't annoy me so much, but I sometimes wonder if it's because I'm a foreigner and there are nuances in the English language I don't get, or if my mind is not up to the level of comedic brilliance the authors put in their work, or because one needs to join/pay to see editions that aren't available to the general public, that a lot of Penny Arcade's comics/stories make zero f***ing sense to me. Sometimes it feels like they made an in-joke that's not really funny at all, but that you need to go digging into their forums for three hours to get some context and understand it.

Penny Arcade is the "Garfield" of webcomics, it's always been mediocre. It became successful because it was in the right place at the right time. If someone created a brand new webcomic today with PA-quality artwork and PA-quality jokes it would die inside a month.

[the_last_shmupper]

It doesn't annoy me so much, but I sometimes wonder if it's because I'm a foreigner and there are nuances in the English language I don't get, or if my mind is not up to the level of comedic brilliance the authors put in their work, or because one needs to join/pay to see editions that aren't available to the general public, that a lot of Penny Arcade's comics/stories make zero f***ing sense to me. Sometimes it feels like they made an in-joke that's not really funny at all, but that you need to go digging into their forums for three hours to get some context and understand it.

Penny Arcade is the "Garfield" of webcomics, it's always been mediocre. It became successful because it was in the right place at the right time. If someone created a brand new webcomic today with PA-quality artwork and PA-quality jokes it would die inside a month.

To take a foothold in anything you have to be one of the first.

[MOSQUITO FIGHTER]

Finally passed my cdl test. It's about time something went right. That test is such a load of crap. They'll have two answers that are correct, but one will be more correct than the other. Then the other answer will be just this dumb crap that is totally wrong. So annoying. And on top of that, more than half of the questions that are on it aren't in the study guide they give you. Whoever made that test was a total jerk.

[Ed Oscuro]

I'm happy P-A do their best to use their influence for good, though - that means more to me than almost any webcomic.

Besides, there's always Dinosaur Comics and XKCD. Still haven't read through all the Dr. McNinja issues yet, either.

Happy "T-Rex missed the chance to make a pun" day!

[Specineff]

Finally passed my cdl test. It's about time something went right. That test is such a load of crap. They'll have two answers that are correct, but one will be more correct than the other. Then the other answer will be just this dumb crap that is totally wrong. So annoying. And on top of that, more than half of the questions that are on it aren't in the study guide they give you. Whoever made that test was a total jerk.

Congrats on doing so, dude. What comes next? Hauling cabs for your fellow shmuppers?

[brentsg]

Finally passed my cdl test. It's about time something went right. That test is such a load of crap. They'll have two answers that are correct, but one will be more correct than the other. Then the other answer will be just this dumb crap that is totally wrong. So annoying. And on top of that, more than half of the questions that are on it aren't in the study guide they give you. Whoever made that test was a total jerk.

Congrats on doing so, dude. What comes next? Hauling cabs for your fellow shmuppers?

The test for that would be a bitch.

[Ed Oscuro]

There's one question from when I took my driving test that still drives me nuts.

"If you're going to hit a big tree or telephone pole, do you hit it glancingly or head on?"
Seemingly simple but actually terribly contrived. The correct answer is "hit it head on" - but that question is so poor on the important factors! The real answer is probably "you shouldn't ever be trying to hit an obstacle." People are slow to react and the first instinct needs to be using care and aiming to avoid obstacles - and the situations where hitting the tree are unavoidable will likely develop too quickly for most people to react to.

Usually you'd be able to steer at least mostly around it, as there's not many degrees difference between hitting a tree and missing it entirely. At low speeds it should often be preferable to rub the side of your vehicle against a solid obstacle, especially in a vehicle with better side crash standards (even in 2001 this would have been the case, though, if the speed was low enough), because your car (and your body) don't have to absorb the full brunt of impact, but only a fraction of it. Of course, if your tires lose grip and speed is too high, you could spin out and auto-t-bone yourself on the obstacle, which would be one of the most dangerous ways to hit it.

What they really meant, apparently, is that you find yourself suddenly dropped into the controls of a vehicle that can't be steered fully around the obstacle, so your range of options is to hit it anywhere along the front bumper (or half of it), from the corner to the center. Of course, bouncing off the tree from the corner of the bumper would also be one of the most dangerous ways to hit. Traffic factors in as well; if everybody's bumper to bumper, you want to avoid any kind of collision that could bounce part of the car back into traffic.

In low-grip situations (ice, fresh rain, oil slick), things might be dramatically different due to the increased chance of spinning and the decreased ability to deflect the car's path, but even then you might be able to side-swipe it, which will probably be a preferable outcome overall in today's vehicles). But even there, when I spun around on an icy road once, the reaction window was still a bit too slow to do much with.

And finally, some SUVs and other vehicles that tend to flip over do make the question a bit more reasonable, since those are less controllable than a sedan.

Any thoughts?

[TransatlanticFoe]

What country is this from? That is a nuts question! Hitting it head on means you take advantage of your airbags and crumple zones (which are going to be pretty much useless if you're doing more than 20 mph when you impact), whilst a glancing hit risks rolling the car or sending it uncontrolled into oncoming traffic. A glancing hit probably gives you more time to regain control than the "I'm probably going to die" scenario, but in reality you won't have enough time to think and control the vehicle into anything other than "wild swerve" or "brace for impact" - hell, if you're about to hit a tree then chances are you don't have all four wheels on the ground at any given time.

This was a good question in my big book of theory test examples (circa 1998):

"You are first to arrive a the scene of an accident, what do you do?"

a) Drive on
b) + c) both vaguely sensible options I don't remember exactly
d) Go to the aid of the casualties which are screaming

In classic multiple choice style, they were all like that - two that could be feasible but two that only an idiot or a sociopath would choose.

[Shepardus]

People who seem to have never learned the difference between opinions and facts. I just saw someone write that anything someone writes is an opinion. Someone else replied that if he said "1+1=2" then that's a fact, and then the first person replied "in your opinion that's a fact." I hope I don't have to say which side isn't making any sense to me.

[Ed Oscuro]

What country is this from?

USA! USA!

Hitting it head on means you take advantage of your airbags and crumple zones (which are going to be pretty much useless if you're doing more than 20 mph when you impact),

Especially ~15 years ago when side collision protection wasn't as good as it is now, this is true.

whilst a glancing hit risks rolling the car or sending it uncontrolled into oncoming traffic.

It does matter significantly where you are - out in the sticks here (I don't recall specifically if the obstruction was a tree, but it could have been) traffic might not be a concern. We also tend not to have the famous sunken ways and tight lanes seen in Europe and the UK. I wouldn't expect rolling should be a concern in some vehicles, but in others it might be.

in reality you won't have enough time to think and control the vehicle into anything other than "wild swerve" or "brace for impact" - hell, if you're about to hit a tree then chances are you don't have all four wheels on the ground at any given time.

[/quote]
My point exactly! The point of practicing scenarios like this is to automatically do a mostly-correct thing when your reflexes can't do the job.

Another famous example is recovering from a skid. Some people swear by turning into it, others by turning against it!

[mamboFoxtrot]

People who seem to have never learned the difference between opinions and facts. I just saw someone write that anything someone writes is an opinion. Someone else replied that if he said "1+1=2" then that's a fact, and then the first person replied "in your opinion that's a fact." I hope I don't have to say which side isn't making any sense to me.

If you want to really blow their mind, tell them that statements such as "I think the book was better" are facts and not opinions.


Honestly, I think I'd rather deal with one of those crazy "ur opinions r wrong kill urself fagot" people than the "that's just ur opinion everything is subjective" police. Thing is, every person I've ever seen pointlessly remind someone that their opinions are their opinions will invariably throw all that "open-minded" "subjectivity" to the wayside and become another "ur wrong kill urself" guy the moment something they give a shit about comes up.

[the_last_shmupper]

People who seem to have never learned the difference between opinions and facts. I just saw someone write that anything someone writes is an opinion. Someone else replied that if he said "1+1=2" then that's a fact, and then the first person replied "in your opinion that's a fact." I hope I don't have to say which side isn't making any sense to me.

I've known people that say stuff like that. I stop knowing them. It feels just like they're trying to turn anything into an argument and I just don't need that sort of uphill struggle in my life putting up with them.

[the_last_shmupper]

Daily Youtubers, but more specifically they have a shelf life for me. I enjoy someone for around 6 months and then they start to annoy me. Like I need an off season, a break and a chance to miss them, because no matter who they are they just grow to annoy me. When they're once a week they seem to have a much longer shelf life to me.

[MOSQUITO FIGHTER]

Finally passed my cdl test. It's about time something went right. That test is such a load of crap. They'll have two answers that are correct, but one will be more correct than the other. Then the other answer will be just this dumb crap that is totally wrong. So annoying. And on top of that, more than half of the questions that are on it aren't in the study guide they give you. Whoever made that test was a total jerk.

Congrats on doing so, dude. What comes next? Hauling cabs for your fellow shmuppers?

I wish. I'd be honored, honestly.

[iconoclast]

People Who Capitalize The First Letter Of Every Word

For what fucking purpose?! At least he got rekt.

[Ed Oscuro]

I saw an even better variant recently:

some*guys*with*420*in*their*name*that*do*this

...get out of here, S.T.A.L.K.E.R.

[the_last_shmupper]

I saw an even better variant recently:

some*guys*with*420*in*their*name*that*do*this

...get out of here, S.T.A.L.K.E.R.

Looks like someone can't find a space bar on a phone or keyboard.

[Lord Satori]

People who overuse the word "meta".

[the_last_shmupper]

People who overuse the word "meta".

I hear it a lot playing TF2. As soon as I hear it from someone I know they're an awful player. I have yet to find an exception.

[Rob]

Schoool's out for summer. Being an adult really makes me appreciate children's prison.

And sidewalks being sprinkled.

[Lord Satori]

And sidewalks being sprinkled.

Especially where I am in California. "HEY GUYS WE'RE IN A SEVERE DROUGHT, WE BETTER WATER THE DAMNED STREETS AND THE SIDEWALKS!"

I guess I wouldn't care as much if it weren't so damned often.