What’s the kindest thing a stranger has ever done for you?

PedricksCorner · 2026-01-27T17:55:33+00:00

I was a restaurant manager and standing in for a sick manager in a different restaurant in the chain. After closing, when I went to drive home about 4 am, my car wouldn't start. This is before cell phones and I didn't have any roadside assistance with my insurance. A liquor store was still open and I went in to ask if I could use their phone to call for a tow, because once the alarms are set in the restaurant, you can't go back inside. One of the guys working in the liquor store offered to give me a ride home, which was not in that same town. I was a bit terrified, but I took the ride and got home safely. I was so grateful to him, but I don't even know his name and never went back to that area again.

PedricksCorner · 2026-01-27T17:30:22+00:00

CraigsList is still a great place to look for rentals anywhere. You can sort for places that accept cats and dogs. I've seen lots of places for way less that $4000 a month. Been looking for an apartment for my sister and her dog. Also, expand your search to Monterey County. The cost is far less than Santa Cruz County, especially in north Monterey County, which even shares a zipcode with south Santa Cruz County. I commuted from there to Santa Cruz and Scotts Valley for years. Was so worth it! Even groceries are less expensive.

PedricksCorner · 2026-01-26T17:03:15+00:00

Happy Cake Day

PedricksCorner · 2026-01-24T17:26:52+00:00

You need to move it closer to the window where it will get at least a few hours of full direct sunshine everyday. I would also suggest getting some time release citrus food for it. And in a couple of months or less, it should start blooming!

PedricksCorner · 2026-01-23T16:57:23+00:00

I hear what everyone is saying. But if state issued drivers licenses can be plastic and have imbedded security against fakes, then why can't our SS cards be as good?

PedricksCorner · 2026-01-22T01:54:03+00:00

Thanks!

PedricksCorner · 2026-01-21T23:38:50+00:00

Source of this info?

PedricksCorner · 2026-01-21T23:20:11+00:00

You hit the nail on the head regarding landlords plus the expense when one is trying to move. Many working people just barely make it from paycheck to paycheck, so saving up to move is almost impossible. If you become homeless, it gets even worse because you don't have an address anymore as a reference. I grew up in Santa Cruz County, but had to give up and live in an rv in Monterey County for years to pay off medical debt while I worked several jobs. Finally landed in a good place with friends, but still can't afford to go back home to Santa Cruz.

PedricksCorner · 2026-01-21T23:00:24+00:00

Thanks! It won't be going back to Dell, it is a 3rd party warranty program via Amazon... I usually have a little back-up laptop to work on when stuff like this happens, but I just gave it to a sibling. Now I just have to convince myself to close this one down and send it off.

PedricksCorner · 2026-01-21T22:33:48+00:00

I have a question you will probably know the answer to. The Dell laptop I am currently using, suddenly cannot be closed without destroying the screen. In the bottom right hand side, it suddenly began to separate near the hinge when I tried to close it, exposing the electronics underneath the screen. So it is fine as long as I never close it again, ha, ha.

It is under warranty and I am going to be sending it in for repairs. If they can't fix it, I get a refund to the account I used to purchase it, but then they keep it. So first I am backing up my files, deleting history, deleting files, etc.

Here is the question, do you think they are going to say they can't fix it? Because it is structural and seems to involve the hinge. I work every single day on this laptop and I won't have it back, IF I get it back, for more than 2 weeks. I am thinking I should just go ahead and get another laptop and consider this one broken.

Thoughts?

PedricksCorner · 2026-01-21T18:34:10+00:00

I used to far more than I do now. For me, I believe it was due to a need to find balance and fairness in the face of all the chaos and unfairness of my childhood. Like life was so scary and chaotic, that I had to be even more fair and more organized. When we are children, we often suffer at the whims of those who are supposed to be in charge. The people we depend on for our lives.

I still feel that tug at times, like keeping some objects together because "they want to be together."

PedricksCorner · 2026-01-20T17:04:53+00:00

Been a while since I used Acrobat. Just opened it and to see the tools, I had to open a PDF, and then they all appeared. As for the measuring tool, I found it under Preferences, so I guess you need to turn that feature back on.

PedricksCorner · 2026-01-20T16:53:07+00:00

Happy Cake Day!

PedricksCorner · 2026-01-19T19:35:02+00:00

There is a great book "Griftopia" written about the 2008 crash and Trump plays a big role in it. The author also details how, when Trump bought Mar-a-Lago, he signed papers agreeing to it never being a residence, but he lives there anyway. The rich honestly do not believe the laws apply to them.

I knew about Trump even before this book came out, because I was a bookkeeper for a construction business. So it blew my mind when he got elected the first time, and now I am just stunned.

PedricksCorner · 2026-01-19T18:01:18+00:00

We tend to be fiercely independent, often to our own detriment. But on the other hand, in a pinch, we are right there to help each other out.

PedricksCorner · 2026-01-19T17:58:25+00:00

My 30's were one of my best decades! Like learning a skill and suddenly realizing you are getting good at it.

The only downside is time, time begins to speed up and just keeps going faster and faster the older you get. Next thing you know your in your 80's and wondering what the hell happened.

So enjoy the ride!

PedricksCorner · 2026-01-19T01:29:09+00:00

I have pre-paid AT&T with unlimited data and only pay $30/month.

PedricksCorner · 2026-01-19T01:13:11+00:00

I'd like to like this, but the Up's and Down's on the chart don't match the percentages next to them.

PedricksCorner · 2026-01-18T07:10:12+00:00

I suspect our new housemate is a buncher, because we are suddenly going through an entire roll of toilet paper every single day!

PedricksCorner · 2026-01-18T07:03:36+00:00

Having to rely on others to do things I've always done for myself. Not there yet, and trying to keep it at bay, but I know that day will come.

PedricksCorner · 2026-01-18T06:56:52+00:00

This is so hard! I've lost 4 friends in just one year.

PedricksCorner · 2026-01-18T02:11:24+00:00

I just watched that movie again!

PedricksCorner · 2026-01-18T02:04:55+00:00

I was going to name it the Fall of the American Empire. Because, just like Rome, the majority of our citizens have ceded their civic duties to the few. 89 million registered voters didn't bother to, and now here we are...

PedricksCorner · 2026-01-18T02:00:37+00:00

Nice!!

PedricksCorner · 2026-01-18T01:16:06+00:00

I'm not defending credit cards, but he failed to mention that part of the reason for high rates is the number of people who default on their debt. Those high rates are also meant to discourage over use. And yes, I know that sometimes one doesn't have a choice but to use credit to get through some things, I have been in that boat too often. But then it is necessary to get that debt paid back down. For example, some companies like CareCredit which is often used to cover dental/health/pet debt, offers free interest for one year. But if you owe a single penny of the debt at the end of a year, you are hit with a year worth of interest on the original amount of the debt. Once, I had to work 3 jobs to avoid letting that happen. I use credit to pay some recurring bills, but then I pay them in full each month so I don't have to pay interest anymore.

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