Wow! I am replete with complaints, recently. When the second drive quit, I was struggling to figure out why my CPU temps were up, even as the weather turned cooler. Previously, I thought things were getting pretty warm when 55 C was exceeded, with all cores of an FX-8350 running P95. Admittedly, ambient is up this week. However, I am running the same two worker windows, which used to have 4 cores each, with only 1 core per worker, and the CPU is at 61 C. Suffice it to say that I have an RMA in progress with Corsair for the H100i cooler. Just called them to get an "express exchange", where they ship first, and I return the old product after. I am really hoping not to have to reinstall the monster air cooler I was running previously, as this requires a motherboard detachment. It shouldn't, but the opening in the motherboard tray of my case does not line up adequately with the CPU placement on the board. Putting the monster back in requires a back plate, while the block/pump for the liquid cooler hooks onto the standard plastic brackets. Hope it holds up till the replacement gets here.

I live in a state with strict environmental standards. Gasoline has to be a more expensive blend that's supposedly better for the environment. I went on a road trip and loaded up on lots of cheap, out of state gas before heading home.

The following day, there's a loud sound coming from my car. It sounds cool on the open highway but less cool in a quiet residential area. I take it to a repair shop, thinking I've worn out a part or two during my vacation. It turns out that someone removed the catalytic converter. The repairman quotes a >$1000 price for a replacement converter but offers to weld a pipe on it for the time being to reduce the noise. I pay for the quick and cheap fix and go about my day.

This is the "unhappy me" thread, but I don't know whether to be happy or mad at the thief. Yes, he did steal something from me that's expensive, but my car now performs better than ever. There's a very noticeable increase in power and a slightly noticeable increase in gas mileage.

Sooner or later, the fun will end. Even if I find a shady business to help me pass next year's smog check, the car's mileage is quite high (>220,000 miles) and will have to be sold eventually. But until then, I'll be driving that car as much as I can, while I still can.

[QUOTE=MooMoo2;444622]This is the "unhappy me" thread, but I don't know whether to be happy or mad at the thief. ...I'll be driving that car as much as I can, while I still can.[/quote]
Here's a happy story about the car:
Remember that pokemon craze from three months ago? It died out like any other fad, and I barely played it at all for a while until someone created a rare pokemon twitter feed. The feed showed the locations of rare pokemon in my city and how long they would be there. Lots of people got interested again and drove to those spots.

Shortly after the catalytic converter theft, I found out that groups of friends would be gathering at a local park that evening. It's near the center of the city with plenty of parking, so it's a convenient spot to drive to any rare pokemon that show up.

I crashed the event on my way home from work, and soon enough, a Snorlax appeared about a mile away, and we all piled into cars to get there. We all caught it, and it was only after we got back to the park when we realized that:

1.) It was the first and probably only time that I've ever willingly gotten into a stranger's car with no clear destination in mind. Only the driver knew where the Snorlax was.
2.) We got into a car with broken seat belts and virtually no gas remaining. Also, the driver knew the location of the Snorlax but not the location of the nearest gas station.
3.) Because of point (2), when another rare pokemon showed up later, we decide to use a different car. Mine is the closest, so I offered to drive them. Despite point (1), I still couldn't believe that someone would go into a stranger's car without hesitation. We all run to the car, and the person who gets there first half-seriously says "let's go without them" (!), as I start the engine. The car is too small to fit six people when someone who's rather chubby says, "we're all skinny, there's more than enough room in the back" (!!)

[QUOTE=MooMoo2;444622]I live in a state with strict environmental standards. Gasoline has to be a more expensive blend that's supposedly better for the environment. I went on a road trip and loaded up on lots of cheap, out of state gas before heading home.
...
someone removed the catalytic converter.[/QUOTE]

In the car, someone plays Chamillionaire's "Ridin Dirty" song as a joke since what we're doing is illegal. But what they don't know is that we're literally riding dirty, in a car with no catalytic converter on a gasoline blend that's not approved by the state. Instead of going back to the park, we head to more rare pokemon locations, along with a ton of other cars. Everyone in the car and myself all had a great time. When we finally got back to the park, we went home since "it wasn't really safe to be walking around in the park this late without pepper spray, a taser, or something" :surprised:

[QUOTE=MooMoo2;444622]Sooner or later, the fun will end.[/quote]
The pokemon trackers and twitter feeds that made the previous event possible have been taken down. The game is pretty much dead again, and there's been quite a few articles and news reports about the smog being the worst it's been in years. I guess you can blame it on me if you want. No regrets, though. Life does have its ups and downs, but like any roller coaster, I'm enjoying the ride.

[size=1]edit: just realized that this is my 300th post[/size]

Very funny, and wonderful story. Thanks for sharing it. Did I tell you that you should write a book? If not, I tell you again: you should write a book. Hehe.
:tu:

One of the things I like least about foreign travel is the seemingly inevitable cold which develops after sharing an aircraft with ~150 other people.

[QUOTE=xilman;445013]One of the things I like least about foreign travel is the seemingly inevitable cold which develops after sharing an aircraft with ~150 other people.[/QUOTE]

What about the smelly feet?

[QUOTE=pinhodecarlos;445014]What about the smelly feet?[/QUOTE]I don't know. I can't smell them because my nose is blocked up from the cold. :wink:

[QUOTE=xilman;445013]One of the things I like least about foreign travel is the seemingly inevitable cold which develops after [u]sharing an aircraft with ~150 other people[/u].[/QUOTE]Well there is your problem. You shouldn't be sharing with 150 other people. Just a couple of your most trusted minions and you're good to go anywhere.

[QUOTE=xilman;445013]One of the things I like least about foreign travel is the seemingly inevitable cold which develops after sharing an aircraft with ~150 other people.[/QUOTE]
On a long-anticipated trip to the Philippines, we had the privilege of sitting in front of someone who coughed constantly, seemingly wide open. All three of us got sick, which put a damper on the first few days.

It later occurred to me that there is good reason to wear a surgical mask when on planes. There is always the threat, these days, of being close to someone with antibiotic-resistant TB. :picard:

We prefer ferries to aeroplanes whenever possible: more room, and less security theatre!

[QUOTE=Nick;445029]We prefer ferries to aeroplanes whenever possible: more room, and less security theatre![/QUOTE]
Indeed. I wish that there were more such options for travel. Unfortunately, we could afford neither the time nor the expense involved in ship travel across the Pacific. :sad: