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Dumb Things People Do, Volume II. Mopeds, Roundabouts, and Comcast Cable

November 14, 2010 · 198 comments

in Dumb Things People Do

Since I decided to start my new category of dumb things people do, I have been keeping my eyes and ears open for stupidity.  Just when I was thinking this week would be full of nothing but smart people, Thursday rolled along…

Story 1:

I was driving home from an appointment with my son, and I was stuck behind a moped.  The speed limit was 45, and Mr. Moped was topping out at 28mph.  Of course, there was no way to pass him, so I just accepted it, and we moseyed on our way home.

We were heading west and came upon a roundabout/traffic circle.  For some reason, our county has been building more and more roundabouts, and I think it is to drastically increase my blood pressure.  So we were waiting at the roundabout, which runs counterclockwise, and Mr. Moped decides we wants to turn left, which would be straight into traffic.   There is no way you could not understand the flow of traffic, not to mention there was a giant ‘one way’ sign right staring him right in the face.  There was a small break in traffic and guess what Mr. Moped does?  He turns left, straight toward a Mercedes.  It was horrifying.  I screamed and my son’s mouth was agape; we both thought we were going to watch Mr. Moped literally be killed right in front of us.  Fortunately, the car swerved just at the last second, and Mr. Moped swerved too.  He then just rode on like nothing unusual happened.  (If it had been me on the moped, I would have had to pull over and collect my wits for about an hour.)  The only smart thing Mr. Moped did was wear a helmet.  With the way he rides the moped, he definitely needs one.

Story 2:

After checking around to find the best TV prices, I took the leap and decided to buy a TV for my husband for his birthday to put in the living room.  With 2 adults and 3 teenagers, I figured it was time to make the leap and get that second TV.  We unpackaged the TV, set it up, and I then called Comcast to schedule cable installation.

I was chatting with the Comcast rep and she said that the extra HD converter for the new TV would cost me an extra $7.99 a month.  I was mad, I had no idea it would cost that much money.  I yapped about trying to get the fee waived, blah blah blah, and then she tells me that I could instead get a DVR that is also an HD receiver for $7.00/month.  What?  So I could have been spending less money and getting a free DVR this whole time?  Why in the world would anyone choose otherwise?  I was so mad at myself, and I decided that I would be the dumb person featured this week.

So Monday, I will have 2 TVs hooked up to cable and both will have HD and DVR capability, and I will be spending less money than before… Go figure.

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{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }

101 Centavos November 14, 2010 at 9:13 am

Kris,
For anyone so oblivious as Moped Man, I suggest some road time anywhere in the Middle East, where red lights are optional, stop signs are mere suggestions, and roundabouts are truly the Roulette Wheel of Traffic Destiny. In the Middle East, the Mercedes driver would have considered it his civic duty to remind Mr. Moped of his proper place in the hierarchy of the road.

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Kris November 14, 2010 at 9:16 am

I was just watching ‘House Hunters International’ and it showed traffic flow in Morocco, and I almost had a heart attack just watching it. Mr. Moped wouldn’t last more than 8 seconds overseas.

I liked your Mercedes comment!!!

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Invest It Wisely November 15, 2010 at 1:49 pm

I have lost some hours of sleep from seeing a Middle East “faces of death” thing that shows what happens to those nice shiny Ferraries (and the drivers, too) when they hit a pole at 300 km/h!

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Nicole November 14, 2010 at 9:58 am

Moped man is scary!

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Money Reasons November 14, 2010 at 10:37 am

The DVR option probably came out after you already had your original converter. Who goes back and asked if there are cheaper version than the converter…

Mopeds are pretty stupid considering the target market! It’s like “Let’s get new inexperienced kids on motorized bikes, and let me drive like adults on the streets”. I wonder how many young kids get hurt on them… At least with a car, if they get in an accident, the don’t get as badly injured. That said, my neighbor had a moped and I loved riding it as a kid (although my buddy who owned it did get hurt on it)… But I was a dumb kid! 🙂

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Kellen November 14, 2010 at 2:24 pm

Well, the truly loving parents put their young, inexperienced drivers in Suburbans instead, which will keep the young driver safe, but will effectively crush those of us around his traffic mistakes!

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Everyday Tips November 14, 2010 at 8:07 pm

Well thanks for trying to defend my Comcast stupidity.

I get so nervous around motorcyclists and mopeders. Then I just saw there was a massive motorcycle accident in California today. My nervousness is justified…

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Car Negotiation Coach November 14, 2010 at 2:16 pm

Kris, Don’t feel bad about your interaction with Comcast. Their changes in specials are hard to keep track of even for people that work there. And the FIRST thing they should have told you was to get the DVR for less money.

On a related note, if you have the stomach for it, call back and ask them for free HBO for your frustration. They almost always give out free HBO for three months for just about anything….you just have to remember to cancel!

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Everyday Tips November 14, 2010 at 8:08 pm

CNC – Yeah, you are right, they should have told me about the DVR! I already do get free HBO, but thanks for the suggestion.

Thanks for making me feel better!

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Roshawn @ Watson Inc November 14, 2010 at 2:20 pm

I can completely understand why you are not a fan of Moped Man or any other vehicles that have trouble keeping up with the flow of traffic. I know every street can’t be redone to accommodate the many different types of vehicles, but I would have been annoyed with anyone that inconsiderate and oblivious.

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Everyday Tips November 14, 2010 at 8:15 pm

Shawn- I was especially surprised because it was dusk out, and it was rush hour. I really don’t know how he could possibly think it was a good idea to turn into traffic like that. I was so upset watching that!

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Aloysa November 14, 2010 at 6:59 pm

Mopeds are dangerous for whoever is driving a moped and for people around them. I consider them death machines. Serious. Get a car… Comcast… hmmm… We used to have Comcast and you know we never had a good experience with their customer service. Maybe it was just our luck (or lack of it)but I don’t have a lot of respect for this company.

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Everyday Tips November 14, 2010 at 8:16 pm

Welcome back from vacation Aloysa! Mopeds and motorcycles both make me nervous.

I think a lot of people get frustrated with Comcast. The only thing I like about them is they will cut you a break every six months or so when you call and complain about your bill.

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Crystal @ BFS November 14, 2010 at 10:19 pm

Mr. Moped would have given me a heart attack! And the poor driver of the car!!! I really do love this new series, lol.

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Funny about Money November 15, 2010 at 12:51 am

LOL! You must live in Arizona, the Home of the Suicidal/Homicidal Driver! 😀

Our infinitely wise city parents also think roundabouts are just the swellest idea. Drivers beg to differ. But unpopularity of the things doesn’t stop them from being built.

Dealing with a communication company — any communication company — is an exercise guaranteed to leave you feeling like a patsy.

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First Gen American November 15, 2010 at 5:23 am

Hmm..we got a roundabout in the next town over too and it was a 4 way intersection where I don’t see the point. There is a scary intersection in my home town that has 8 roads connecting to it..now that could use a giant roundabout. I don’t get it.

I’m glad moped guy didn’t die.

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Invest It Wisely November 15, 2010 at 1:47 pm

I like roundabouts. Once in Vietnam, I drove around one in a scooter with about 200 other scooters. Vehicle density is extremely high over there. It was fun. 🙂

I hope Mr. Moped learned his lesson before he comes face to face with an Escalade!

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