What Irked You Today?

[Ace-Garageguy]

12 hours ago, NYLIBUD said:

Anybody else have bad Sciatica?

Yup.

[Raoul Ross]

10 minutes ago, NOBLNG said:

Plastic toothpaste tubes.? Surely they can’t be that much cheaper to produce than the good old aluminum ones that you could fold up as you use the contents.?

I use these, one of mankind's greatest inventions!

https://www.amazon.com/Rolling-Toothpaste-Squeezer-Bathroom-Accessories（Green）/dp/B09NV17WCS/ref=sr_1_7?keywords=toothpaste+roller&qid=1688046226&sr=8-7

[NOBLNG]

4 minutes ago, Raoul Ross said:

I use these, one of mankind's greatest inventions!

https://www.amazon.com/Rolling-Toothpaste-Squeezer-Bathroom-Accessories（Green）/dp/B09NV17WCS/ref=sr_1_7?keywords=toothpaste+roller&qid=1688046226&sr=8-7

Does it work on the plastic tubes?

Edit: Looks like it might work with the old Testors tube glue too!?

Edited June 29, 2023 by NOBLNG

[Raoul Ross]

1 minute ago, NOBLNG said:

Does it work on the plastic tubes?

Absolutely! And the best part is there's almost no waste!

Edited June 29, 2023 by Raoul Ross

[Mark]

On 6/23/2023 at 10:44 AM, Danno said:

 

With the substantial bill, printed on the ticket was a list of pre-calculated 'tips.' All you had to do was check which 'tip' you wanted to reward the server with. Not uncommon.

However, what ticked me off was that the pre-calculated tips ranged from 18% up to 25%, then a "Custom Tip" line if the 18-20-22-25 percentages weren't enough from which to select.

 

 

 

  

I can see the pre-calculated tips, as fewer and fewer people seem to be able to do math, let alone do it in their head.

The upscale percentages suggest the establishment is trying to give their servers a raise, but out of your pocket.  They've all been trying to talk tip percentages upward for some time now, just like real estate sales people have been trying to talk commissions upward...

[peteski]

7 hours ago, NOBLNG said:

Plastic toothpaste tubes.? Surely they can’t be that much cheaper to produce than the good old aluminum ones that you could fold up as you use the contents.?

Not only that, but aluminum was a biodegradable/recyclable material, but the aluminum foil-lined plastic tube is not! It is not even recyclable.

[Tom Geiger]

3 hours ago, Mark said:

I can see the pre-calculated tips, as fewer and fewer people seem to be able to do math, let alone do it in their head.

The upscale percentages suggest the establishment is trying to give their servers a raise, but out of your pocket.  They've all been trying to talk tip percentages upward for some time now, just like real estate sales people have been trying to talk commissions upward...

I don't like the precalculated tip chart that goes from 18 to 25%. Kinda nervy!

But as they say those of us who once worked for tips tip well for good service. 

[MrMiles]

i am pretty sick of getting a customer service rep that either refuses to listen to the issue or doesnt understand a basic issue and just repeats what they are saying, even though it has nothing to do with what the issue is.

 

i just gave up and closed the support chat

[Mark]

I'll tip well for decent service.  Every other weekend, I'll have breakfast at a nearby restaurant on Saturday or Sunday.  I get coffee refills without asking, get steak sauce and/or hot sauce without having to ask twice, and every so often they'll "forget" to put the coffee on the tab.

If I go somewhere and get lousy service, I don't pull any nonsense like I have heard other people do...I'll leave a tip, but I don't go back.  Poor service is rare around here, the restaurant business is highly competitive and the good business owners cover the basics.

[NYLIBUD]

So I’m about to watch a re-run of (All in the Family),great show.However they put this on before playing the show.Come on no offense,but nowadays,is this really necessary?[Edit:Just wanted to add that i mean no disrespect to any race,etc by this posting.Just thought it was funny that the network posts this,while the show simply poked fun at the issues during that time.And the show is well known for this.Not to mention the show went off the air several years ago.Actually it really didn’t “irk” me,for lack of a better word..I just thought it was kind of humorous.But whatever,everybody is entitled to their opinion.

Edited June 30, 2023 by NYLIBUD

[89AKurt]

Building Department, the County, hating this end of the process of architectural design anymore, know enough to be dangerous, but too stupid to figure out how else to make decent money.  Just an addition, initial plan check said Engineering was required, which took 2 months and cost hundreds.  Submitted into the wonderful /sarc off/ CitizenServe portal, a month ago.  Today I went with a Contractor to look at the job, but before that I checked, and still no permit released, so I emailed the top bureaucrat asking what's up.  After I got back home, no email yet, but a few hours later, the top bureaucrat replied with some confusion, then two lower desk clerks responded apologizing for the delay, got the permit.  This area is still in a building boom, and everyone is swamped, but this is getting really old.  Last century in High School, had to watch the propaganda flick 'Future Shock', which said computers would make our lives easier, would need to work only 3 days a week, no paper will be needed.  Computers are nice for participating on this forum, but blows big chunks for work.

[Ace-Garageguy]

1 hour ago, NYLIBUD said:

Come on no offense, but nowadays, is this really necessary?

 I'M OFFENDED!!!

Edited June 30, 2023 by Ace-Garageguy

[peteski]

1 hour ago, NYLIBUD said:

So I’m about to watch a re run of (All in the Family),great show.However they put this on before playing the show.Come on no offense,but nowadays,is this really necessary?

 

Yes, warnings and disclaimers are totally out of hand. Even on the news they warn viewers that some video segment might be disturbing to some.    I'm offended by all those disclaimers!  Really! 

I'm also watching those reruns on MeTV, but after watching couple of them I find myself a bit tired of the constant tensions and yelling on the show (maybe because they show 4 episodes back-to-back). Still a good show, and like many shows or movies made in the '70s (like Blazing Saddles) would never be made in today's world.

[NOBLNG]

36 minutes ago, 89AKurt said:

Building Department, the County, hating this end of the process of architectural design anymore, know enough to be dangerous, but too stupid to figure out how else to make decent money.  Just an addition, initial plan check said Engineering was required, which took 2 months and cost hundreds.  Submitted into the wonderful /sarc off/ CitizenServe portal, a month ago.  Today I went with a Contractor to look at the job, but before that I checked, and still no permit released, so I emailed the top bureaucrat asking what's up.  After I got back home, no email yet, but a few hours later, the top bureaucrat replied with some confusion, then two lower desk clerks responded apologizing for the delay, got the permit.  This area is still in a building boom, and everyone is swamped, but this is getting really old.  Last century in High School, had to watch the propaganda flick 'Future Shock', which said computers would make our lives easier, would need to work only 3 days a week, no paper will be needed.  Computers are nice for participating on this forum, but blows big chunks for work.

It might not be the computers that are at fault? This was happening here about 3 years ago….?

“The internal investigation of the city’s (Winnipeg) Planning, Property and Development (PPD) department stemmed from a privately-driven investigation that caught 16 employees on video camera making personal shopping trips, running errands and taking extended lunch breaks during work time.”

https://canada.constructconnect.com/joc/news/government/2019/09/six-winnipeg-building-inspectors-fired-improvements-sought-to-help-contractors-and-public#:~:text=The internal investigation of the,lunch breaks during work time.

[Russell C]

Vehicle obsolesce, Part II.

There's been a trace of a gasoline smell underhood of my '86 VW GTI for a while, exponentially worse today, where I could finally clearly see it. The forward flexible section of the "fuel supply line" that is grafted onto the hard line going into the fuel distributor has a crack that now leaks under pressure. I assume it is a somewhat flexible inner plastic tube protected by an outer rubber covering, because back closer to the firewall, I see a crack in the rubber cover and a shinier bit below in the crack. Clamping the forward section's cracked leaking area where it goes into the hard line doesn't stop the leak one bit. Problem is, I've searched for a couple of hours far and wide across the internet and haven't found anyone selling a used one. Left a message with one of the south Phoenix VW junkyards that's been good to me over the last decade, will have to try again tomorrow to catch a live person there. Really shouldn't drive it with it leaking that much, but it may be an uphill struggle trying to locate a fuel line.  CIS-e fuel injection, in case any of you have one laying around or know someone who does ....

[stitchdup]

58 minutes ago, Russell C said:

Vehicle obsolesce, Part II.

There's been a trace of a gasoline smell underhood of my '86 VW GTI for a while, exponentially worse today, where I could finally clearly see it. The forward flexible section of the "fuel supply line" that is grafted onto the hard line going into the fuel distributor has a crack that now leaks under pressure. I assume it is a somewhat flexible inner plastic tube protected by an outer rubber covering, because back closer to the firewall, I see a crack in the rubber cover and a shinier bit below in the crack. Clamping the forward section's cracked leaking area where it goes into the hard line doesn't stop the leak one bit. Problem is, I've searched for a couple of hours far and wide across the internet and haven't found anyone selling a used one. Left a message with one of the south Phoenix VW junkyards that's been good to me over the last decade, will have to try again tomorrow to catch a live person there. Really shouldn't drive it with it leaking that much, but it may be an uphill struggle trying to locate a fuel line.  CIS-e fuel injection, in case any of you have one laying around or know someone who does ....

try https://orchideuro.com/

usa based company specialising in obsolete and rare water cooled vw stuff or if you dont mind ordering from europe, heritagepartscentre should have it. also, try your local vw parts depot, the golf engines were used in later polos so you never know, its might be a part still used in south america as some of those vws are a decade or more behind the northern hemisphere cars. early mk3 4pot gtis use the same engine too. I can find more places later if you want, i have an extensive collection of performance vw magazine and have been in the scene for years so i'm sure i can find the parts for you

[TonyK]

It's a bit of an "irk" but more of a chuckle. Wife went to the Taco Bell drive-thru and they asked if she wanted hot sauce and she said yes. Got home and we have no hot sauce. Mexican food without hot sauce?! Idiots.

[Ace-Garageguy]

5 hours ago, Russell C said:

...shouldn't drive it with it leaking that much...

EXACTLY.

[Russell C]

6 hours ago, stitchdup said:

try https://orchideuro.com/    usa based company specialising in obsolete and rare water cooled vw stuff .....I can find more places later if you want, i have an extensive collection of performance vw magazine and have been in the scene for years so i'm sure i can find the parts for you

"Irk continued" on the increasing rarity of of decades old watercooled VDub parts, but your reply here qualifies as a "what pleased you" thing I should post when I have time at the other thread. Thanks!!! Irk today will be the removal of the line, although it is not in a difficult spot on the engine to reach. Will email the Orchid Euro place minutes from now, found heritagepartscentre yesterday, but a zip through their web pages turned up no results. Will try emailing them, though. Final irk might be the love that these vintages of VWs demand, but they give plenty of driving fun even in their advanced ages when kept maintained.

(FYI, been meaning to join this VW owners site, emergency mandated it, Intro post here / part plea here, for additional networking opportunities.)

Edited June 30, 2023 by Russell C
additional networking info

[Ace-Garageguy]

Very rare parts shipment from England.

International tracking showed it had reached the US port of ENTRY, then a distribution point, data included showing correspondence with my local zip PO.

Then mysteriously, everything after it being at the port of ORIGIN in the UK just disappeared from the tracking stream.

I'm impressed.

Edited June 30, 2023 by Ace-Garageguy

[Ace-Garageguy]

8 hours ago, Russell C said:

The forward flexible section of the "fuel supply line" that is grafted onto the hard line going into the fuel distributor has a crack that now leaks under pressure. I assume it is a somewhat flexible inner plastic tube protected by an outer rubber covering...

Most of the CIS flexible lines I've seen are made that way, relatively hard-but-flexible plastic tube, heat-crimped to the end fittings, with a soft polymer anti-chafe jacket.

A SAFE temporary repair (or permanent if you're careful) can usually be accomplished by removing the hose assembly from the vehicle, carefully splitting the hard plastic hose on the ends where it's crimped over the fitting barbs (try not to scratch the barb area in the process, and some have one-use clamps, some don't), and replacing the hard line with HIGH PRESSURE FUEL INJECTION HOSE of the right diameter (available at auto parts stores), and appropriate worm-screw clamps.

WARNING: It is IMPERATIVE that you use HIGH-PRESSURE HOSE RATED FOR FUEL INJECTION.

Many parts-counter dorks don't know the difference, and will give you low-pressure fuel hose.

I've seen more than one CIS-equipped vehicle burn because of that, including my own 450SL, acquired after an engine compartment fire shortly after the vehicle had left an MB dealership for injection hose replacement.

NOTE: DO NOT LOSE THE COPPER SEAL WASHERS ON THE FITTINGS. They can be reused if you're careful, but should really be replaced every time a fitting is loosened...IF you can find them of CORRECT INSIDE DIAMETER.

 

Edited June 30, 2023 by Ace-Garageguy
CLARITY and ACCURACY

[Muncie]

9 hours ago, Russell C said:

Vehicle obsolesce, Part II.

There's been a trace of a gasoline smell underhood of my '86 VW GTI for a while, exponentially worse today, where I could finally clearly see it. The forward flexible section of the "fuel supply line" that is grafted onto the hard line going into the fuel distributor has a crack that now leaks under pressure. I assume it is a somewhat flexible inner plastic tube protected by an outer rubber covering, because back closer to the firewall, I see a crack in the rubber cover and a shinier bit below in the crack. Clamping the forward section's cracked leaking area where it goes into the hard line doesn't stop the leak one bit. Problem is, I've searched for a couple of hours far and wide across the internet and haven't found anyone selling a used one. Left a message with one of the south Phoenix VW junkyards that's been good to me over the last decade, will have to try again tomorrow to catch a live person there. Really shouldn't drive it with it leaking that much, but it may be an uphill struggle trying to locate a fuel line.  CIS-e fuel injection, in case any of you have one laying around or know someone who does ....

Fuel lines generally don't fail by wearing out, they age out.  At '37 years old, it is well beyond the normal service life for a flexible fuel line and age is what caused the leaks. Any used line, especially if it's an original production part will be the same age and have the same problem.  Only safe repair is a new fuel line assembly.

Based on the likelihood that a used replacement fuel line will also leak, a responsible vendor would not sell one.  Customer safety, customer satisfaction and these days, product liability is a real concern.

It's definitely not worth risking your GTI for a used fuel line.

[Russell C]

1 hour ago, Muncie said:

Fuel lines generally don't fail by wearing out, they age out.  At '37 years old, it is well beyond the normal service life for a flexible fuel line ...  Only safe repair is a new fuel line assembly. ....

All true, the fierce AZ heat not helping things one bit. Valiantly on the search** to see what guys who rebuild these are using for new fuel supply lines ....

** new development edit:  local AZ VW scrapyard guy / MkII enthusiast referred me to an expert shop specializing in rebuilding A/C, hydraulic & high pressure fuel line hoses. Score!

Edited June 30, 2023 by Russell C

[BlackSheep214]

On 6/29/2023 at 9:22 PM, NYLIBUD said:

So I’m about to watch a re-run of (All in the Family),great show.However they put this on before playing the show.Come on no offense,but nowadays,is this really necessary?[Edit:Just wanted to add that i mean no disrespect to any race,etc by this posting.Just thought it was funny that the network posts this,while the show simply poked fun at the issues during that time.And the show is well known for this.Not to mention the show went off the air several years ago.Actually it really didn’t “irk” me,for lack of a better word..I just thought it was kind of humorous.But whatever,everybody is entitled to their opinion.

Hers the thing, All in thd Family dealt with REAL LIFE ISSUES of its time. It's not about being a bigot or racist. Look no further than: The Jeffersons, Sanford and Son, Good Times, Brady Bunch (shocking I know but it's family dynamics dealing with real life issues), Chico and the Man. I can go on and on.

Those shows were entertaining and iconic of the 70s. The trouble is folks nowadays are waaay too offended by these shows and refuse to understand the whole concept and synopsis of the show.

 

Look at Three's Company with Jack Tripper, a straight guy pretending to be gay in order to live with two women. Funny thing is.... it was Janet and Chrissy's idea for him to pretend to be gay in order to get the Roper's approval. Well. except for Mrs. Roper. She knew the truth but liked the idea. LOL! Loved that show....

[stavanzer]

So, Monday the 3rd, I had a brand new experience. About 10 am, I came in to prepare some supplies for a job I was about to start in the backyard. It was about 92 Deg outside, but I hadn't been out but a few minutes, and those in the shade.

I was in the kitchen, to get parts ready, and was headed out back. Wham! Next thing I know, I'm on the floor, glasses knocked off, and starting to hurt. I had passed out and fallen. Hit my forehead a good one (1" long gash) and scraped up the outer edge of my right eyelid. (but, Thankfully not the eye itself. (One more Millimetre to the left though...) I eventually got up on my hands and stumbled into the office where my wife was. After same garbled explanation from me (I was not making much sense) we called my Adult Daughter (who lives across the street) and I get hauled to the E.R. I got admitted and held overnight for "Observation" and got 2 CAT Scans and 3 MRI's. (35 minutes in an MRI scanner is about more than I could handle) Spent Monday Night in Hospital, and got home about 1pm yesterday afternoon. Enjoyed the 4th, but was tired and cranky.

So, what happened? Doctors have no clue. All test results are good. I had "Ménière's disease" about 26 years ago, and there is some thought that it might be a re-occurrence of that. But, no one really knows. It is all guess work at this point, and the ER doctor admitted that I could have many more tests and still not get an answer.  I'm off work until next Tuesday, and will spend tomorrow morning trying to arrange follow up tests. But, No Concussion, No Heart Issues, nothing wrong with the Brain, or Nerves. It just happened.

Which leads to my last Irk.

I am (as my wife says "Durable!" I have been hit of the head, crushed my fingers in a Roll-Up garage door,  survived a Retinal Detachment that can cause blindness, and suffered other small things. I get sick, but never as sick as others, and bounce back much faster than most folks. All of this is a Huge Blessing, one that I am very aware of, and profoundly Grateful for.

However the trade-off for this is that when I do have medical problems, they are seldom, if ever found. Weakness in my legs, sufficient to cause stumbling falls? No Answer! Finally went away on it's own. (Mostly. Still happens but not as bad or as often).  Back Pain, Leg Numbness, Sciatic nerves? All went (mostly) away on their own. I've spent hours being tested for one thing or another, over the last 25 years. Most of the time, I'm sent home, where the pain goes away by itself weeks to months later.  But, I'm not a hypochondriac. The pain is there, Doctors can find find it, and I'm not hallucinating. This "Hard to Diagnose" bit, gets more and more frustrating as I get older.  I've spent a lot of good money trying things that never help. Then, my medical problem just goes away. Weeks or Months later, a new one takes it's place. I Grow tired of having a "Durable" yet hard to fix body. Better than the alternative, but still very frustrating. 

Thanks for letting me vent.