Posts by gadzooks

1. 2019-01-05 at 2:42 AM UTC in I just rage quit my bank after 15 years and went to the credit union across the street (DISCUSS: banks vs credit unions)
   

   gadzooks Dark Matter [keratinize my mild-tasting blossoming]

   Originally posted by MORALLY SUPERIOR BEING III: The Quest for 911 Truth "Didn't you read your 105 page contract goy? Subsection 88 on page 14 clearly states that we have the right to levy penalties of positive funds for negative funds as may be decided upon by our head goo."

   
   I see what you did thar.
   
   
2. 2019-01-05 at 2:37 AM UTC in I just rage quit my bank after 15 years and went to the credit union across the street (DISCUSS: banks vs credit unions)
   

   gadzooks Dark Matter [keratinize my mild-tasting blossoming]

   Originally posted by Ajax Again, that’s not what I’m saying. I’m saying don’t look to a bank for grace. They honored their end of the deal, now you honor yours.

   
   The thing is, you went beyond that by even remotely implying that a flat $48 fee is anywhere near reasonable.
   
   I do see what you're saying about it being my responsibility, and, like I said, I am willing to pay a REASONABLE fee for my own negligence and poor planning.
   
   But not $48. That's just ridiculous.
   
   Like it's so ridiculous that it reaches the point of being morally dubious.
   
   Each of those three bill payments were an average of $200.
   
   48 / 200 = ~1/4 = 25%.
   
   That is undeniably unreasonable.
   
   ESPECIALLY considering that I was taking efforts to prevent such a scenario by applying for overdraft protection and applying for a consolidation loan and so on.
3. 2019-01-05 at 2:31 AM UTC in I just rage quit my bank after 15 years and went to the credit union across the street (DISCUSS: banks vs credit unions)
   

   gadzooks Dark Matter [keratinize my mild-tasting blossoming]

   Originally posted by Ajax I’m telling you what you need to hear. I’m sorry you’ve had a tough history and I’m glad you’re turning it around. Blaming other people for your mistakes will not get you anywhere.
   
   Go talk to the bank manager. They might reverse SOME of the fees if you plead your case, but don’t expect it. Get your account back in good standing and move on. They are not your friend. They are a business offering a service and they exist to make a profit, that is all.

   
   Well, I did try to ask them to help me out - even if they would have reversed just ONE of the charges, or reduced them all by some amount, I would have glady stayed.
   
   But they just said "nah, it's our policy."
   
   And that's when the light bulb lit up on top of me and I thought - maybe there's a reason some people prefer credit unions.
4. 2019-01-05 at 2:29 AM UTC in I just rage quit my bank after 15 years and went to the credit union across the street (DISCUSS: banks vs credit unions)
   

   gadzooks Dark Matter [keratinize my mild-tasting blossoming]

   Originally posted by Ajax Overdraft protection means you pay the fee you agreed to pay when you signed the fee disclosure when you opened your account. If you don’t like the fee, either don’t bank there or don’t bounce checks.

   
   How old are you?
   
   You're seriously trying to tell me you've never had a check bounce or had any kind of financial emergency?
   
   I just find that incredibly hard to believe.
5. 2019-01-05 at 2:27 AM UTC in I just rage quit my bank after 15 years and went to the credit union across the street (DISCUSS: banks vs credit unions)
   

   gadzooks Dark Matter [keratinize my mild-tasting blossoming]

   Originally posted by MORALLY SUPERIOR BEING III: The Quest for 911 Truth No fucking $48 isn't reasonable, it's not meant to be, it's a revenue stream for the bank. Nobody's going to argue it's reasonable in any sort of good faith, it's like Apple telling you not to replace the battery on your iPhone as it's too complicated, it's the sort of lie that's not even meant to be believed. A polite fiction.
   
   You should bank with a credit union, it might not even be cheaper or more convenient, but you will be treated with a little dignity at a local institution and that's worth a lot. I mean like compare loan rates, access to an ISBN number etc.
   
   However it's good for the soul to do business with people you know, as opposed to corporations where the employees have zero power, and the managers have zero accountability to you. If you can't drive over to trash a company's headquarters in a drunken rage, you probably shouldn't be doing business with them.

   
   This was actually one of the things I considered... While I was in the bank closing my account, I was on my phone googling nearby credit unions, to get a feel for the difference in fees, etc, etc. But what occurred to me was that, even though the fees may be slightly better by comparison, I realized that one fundamental difference between the two is that a credit union really is run by the people.
   
   I had a credit union account maaany years ago for a little while, and I remember they sent me stuff in the mail all the time to vote on policies and all that.
   
   Also, they are apparently non-profit organizations as well. That's a huge plus, even if it doesn't necessarily mean saving me money directly in terms of banking fees and so on.
6. 2019-01-05 at 2:24 AM UTC in I just rage quit my bank after 15 years and went to the credit union across the street (DISCUSS: banks vs credit unions)
   

   gadzooks Dark Matter [keratinize my mild-tasting blossoming]

   Originally posted by Ajax The reasonable thing would be to spend less than you earn. When you run out of money, stop spending.

   
   This is surreal to me right now - you're really touting the "pull yourself up by the bootstraps" line here?
   
   I am the literal embodiment of the "pull yourself up by the bootstraps" concept.
   
   Me a few years ago:
   -- Homeless.
   -- Heroin addict.
   -- Unemployed and on welfare.
   
   So what did I do? I got clean, then I hit the books and worked my fucking ass off every single day (no weekends or other "days off") teaching myself computer programming; then I put together a portfolio to showcase my skills (you have to put in extra effort to that effect if you have no piece of paper substantiating your expertise); then I put myself out there, despite all kinds of social anxiety, self-doubt, self-esteem and self-confidence issues, and I networked and faced rejection after rejection until I found a job in my field.
   
   So forgive me for being a tad stunned that I'm on this side of the argument, because it is a bit of a shock to the system.
7. 2019-01-05 at 2:13 AM UTC in I just rage quit my bank after 15 years and went to the credit union across the street (DISCUSS: banks vs credit unions)
   

   gadzooks Dark Matter [keratinize my mild-tasting blossoming]

   Originally posted by Ajax The reasonable thing would be to spend less than you earn. When you run out of money, stop spending.

   
   Easier said than done.
   
   Sometimes circumstances in a person's life can change. I'm still recovering from a bout of homelessness and prolonged unemployment. Stuff like that can fuck up a person's finances for a long time.
   
   

   Originally posted by Ajax And they’re honoring their overdraft protection by not bouncing your bills and sending you back into collections. Your fault for assuming it was free and not reading the fee disclosure.

   
   Wait, wut? Overdraft protection means you either pay a REASONABLE fee for every bounced check, OR, you pay a percentage of how far you go into debt.
   
   Usury laws, and heck, common human decency, would should prevent things like 50% - 200% interest, charged instantaneously.
8. 2019-01-05 at 2:05 AM UTC in I just rage quit my bank after 15 years and went to the credit union across the street (DISCUSS: banks vs credit unions)
   

   gadzooks Dark Matter [keratinize my mild-tasting blossoming]

   Originally posted by Ajax Are you suggesting that it’s reasonable to expect the bank to pay your bills for you when you run out of money?

   
   Yes.
   
   Yes I am.
   
   It's called overdraft protection and it's a pretty typical thing.
   
   Or, they could charge something more reasonable/proportionate.
   
   EDIT: Pay the bills TEMPORARILY, obviously. Like I said, I had the funds in there within 24 hours of the payment being posted. I'm not a deadbeat.
9. 2019-01-05 at 2:04 AM UTC in I just rage quit my bank after 15 years and went to the credit union across the street (DISCUSS: banks vs credit unions)
   

   gadzooks Dark Matter [keratinize my mild-tasting blossoming]
   If it was something reasonable like a few percent of the total bill cost, maybe I would be more comfortable with it...
   
   But like, the payment can be LESS than $48, and they will still charge you $48.
   
   That's retarded.
   
   I'm not even like some radical commie or anything. I don't have a problem with capitalism per se. But there's making money, and there's parasitically sucking money out of those who are already barely treading water as it is only to line the pockets of those who have plenty enough already.
10. 2019-01-05 at 2 AM UTC in I just rage quit my bank after 15 years and went to the credit union across the street (DISCUSS: banks vs credit unions)
    

    gadzooks Dark Matter [keratinize my mild-tasting blossoming]

    Originally posted by Ajax Honestly, it sounds like you’re trying to blame the bank for your inability to manage money.

    
    I know that credit unions are more likely to give a person overdraft protection.
    
    I mean, are you really suggesting that $48 per returned returned payment is a reasonable fee?
    
    It's highway robbery, quite frankly.
11. 2019-01-05 at 1:52 AM UTC in I just rage quit my bank after 15 years and went to the credit union across the street (DISCUSS: banks vs credit unions)
    

    gadzooks Dark Matter [keratinize my mild-tasting blossoming]

    Originally posted by Erekshun Why didn't you shoot the place up?

    
    I suppose that might have been a typical reaction in this day and age, although less so in Canada than the U.S.
    
    Here, we behead people on greyhound buses and film ourselves killing people with an icepick to 80's synthpop.
12. 2019-01-05 at 1:45 AM UTC in (Differentially) Diagnosing a Myoclonic Seizure
    

    gadzooks Dark Matter [keratinize my mild-tasting blossoming]
    Also, in case anyone is curious about how events unfolded...
    
    I went to the walk-in clinic the next morning, and was just straight up 100% honest with the doc, and he gave me a tapering dose of diazepam (super low dose, but it's good enough, I haven't had any G in like 36 hours, and I am having virtually no physical withdrawal symptoms).
    
    I was also able to sleep this morning (for longer than an 30-60 minutes like the other nights), which is awesome.
13. 2019-01-05 at 1:43 AM UTC in (Differentially) Diagnosing a Myoclonic Seizure
    

    gadzooks Dark Matter [keratinize my mild-tasting blossoming]

    Originally posted by OG_GREENPLASTIC_JOHNSON_III not sure, but I get pretty bad muscle jerks if i try to stop etiz abruptly. especially in my legs, my quad muscles spasm out and sometimes makes me leg move so hard it'll hit like a table leg or something and cause a ruckus and people get weirded out lmao

    
    For what it's worth, it's reassuring to know that I'm not crazy and that this is more-or-less routine stuff from time to time. Knowing that overs have endured it, and had it ultimately pass, is a pretty big relief.
14. 2019-01-05 at 1:37 AM UTC in I just rage quit my bank after 15 years and went to the credit union across the street (DISCUSS: banks vs credit unions)
    

    gadzooks Dark Matter [keratinize my mild-tasting blossoming]
    I started a (personal / debt consolidation) loan application back in NOVEMBER with my bank (one of the big Canadian ones... think green color). While I have an okay salary, my credit isn't perfect. I did manage to pay off all my debts that were in collections, but I still have to build my credit from here. So, I got my dad to co-sign for me, and his credit is exemplary.
    
    But they were just making me feel like my application wasn't important, making me chase them down to get things moving, and then, the straw that broke the proverbial camels back - THREE $48 NSF fees because I was a day late in moving some money into my checking account to cover some end-of-month bills (because I was expecting the loan to be approved my now and thus cover those expenses on time).
    
    I told them that I keep applying for overdraft protection, and they keep rejecting me BECAUSE OF THINGS LIKE THIS...
    
    It's fucking catch 22.
    
    And then I thought - why the fuck am I does anyone who is working class keep their money in banks. Banks are for rich people.
    
    Credit unions do like the wacky-waving-inflatable-arm-flailing-tube-man store does - "they pass the savings onto YOU!!"
    
    But for real though, what are the pros and cons regarding each option? The more I think about it, the more it seems like a credit union is the way to go (for working class folk).
    
    The differences may be marginal at best, but whatever, I needed a change anyway.
15. 2019-01-04 at 3:12 AM UTC in (Differentially) Diagnosing a Myoclonic Seizure
    

    gadzooks Dark Matter [keratinize my mild-tasting blossoming]

    Originally posted by Ughhu The withdrawal treatment for alcohol in hospital is benzos. Once you get through the alcohol detox then taper the benzos.

    
    

    Originally posted by DietPiano I take lamictal and gabapentin post benzo withdrawl. I don't know if my episodes were partial seizures or not. I don't know how the lamictal affects me rrally, but it doesn't seem to make me any more tired (I think). I highly reccommend gaba

    
    

    Originally posted by mikeyagain Gaba is pretty good if you take 3 times your dosage.. The bastards recently made it a controlled substance.. I wish they would leave people the fuck alone…

    
    Thanks for those posts, they have all given me some things to research a bit.
    
    

    Originally posted by Ughhu The biggest fear is that you would seize and fall and hit your head or something. Benzos will help you get through this initial phase. Next issue is dealing with the mental end of addiction, much harder but it sounds like you have made it through in the past

    
    The weird thing is that I can say I have experience with both extreme psychological addiction and extreme physical withdrawal symptoms.
    
    While the two may typically coexist, and they have for me many times before, this is the first time I'm had strictly physical W/D symptoms.
    
    I managed to get the first couple days of the new year completely sober, and was doing great, just except for the occasional muscle contraction, as well as a strong difficulty in staying asleep.
16. 2019-01-04 at 2:58 AM UTC in First hb thread for new year...
    

    gadzooks Dark Matter [keratinize my mild-tasting blossoming]
    1st bisexual (but still 36th faggot, and also 3rd hetero for that matter).
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Originally posted by mmQ 31st faggot I guess I'm jw is affection the opposite of infection?
    
    

    
    Grammatically speaking, I think they might be, while perhaps slightly related in some sense, also not related in a more specific sense.
    
    I have a bit of a fascination with words and their word roots and etymologies, so I may actually look more into that connection.
17. 2019-01-04 at 2:55 AM UTC in (Differentially) Diagnosing a Myoclonic Seizure
    

    gadzooks Dark Matter [keratinize my mild-tasting blossoming]

    Originally posted by DietPiano If you do a bump of heroin and walk inti a clinic will they give you subs/methadone?
    
    I'm amusing they can't diagnostically tell how long you've been on it

    
    Lol, technically you probably could get away with it.
    
    They piss test you, of course, and, interestingly, in my case, it had been a few days since I last got any quality product, so I actually pissed clean and was denied. The doctors at the clinic literally said I had to go and score some, take it, then come back and give them a positive piss test to be accepted.
    
    It worked, and I got in the next day.
    
    They give you a brief interview about your experience, but the intriguing thing about it is that, the way they word the questions, sometimes you an end up being unintenionally ambiguous.
    
    For example, they asked "how long have you been using heroin?"
    
    Well, my very first time was almost a decade prior to that. But, I wouldn't in a million years have considered myself an opiate addict for most of those years, since i was just experenting - zero addictional/habitual use existed. It was like a once or twice a year thing at first.
    
    But, as far as the question on the piece of paper was concerned, I was considered to be a "10 year opiate addict".
18. 2019-01-04 at 2:54 AM UTC in (Differentially) Diagnosing a Myoclonic Seizure
    

    gadzooks Dark Matter [keratinize my mild-tasting blossoming]

    Originally posted by Zanick When I was 14 I observed it in a Chicago bus driver who nearly lost control of the vehicle I had boarded. It was a standout case that ticked all the boxes of which I had read about beforehand, so I can't claim any sort of special knowledge. I had the opportunity to talk to him about it following the event, after he was done apologizing. I recognized it based on the reports of a Zoklet member and it was really a spectacular coincidence unless I'm totally wrong. In any case, I'm really glad I didn't die.

    
    This is especially interesting to me because my only reference for what constitutes a myoclonic (or any seizure really for that matter) seizure is stuff I've read online (or seen Hollywood actors do in movies and TV shows).
    
    Actually, something really fascinating that popped into my mind very time I was having these seemingly involuntary muscle contractions (and Zanick, you especially might be able to appreciate this), it got me dwelling on the nature of free will. To this moment, I still don't know if they were voluntary or involuntary movements - like, it felt like I had some kind of control, ultimately, but was just "giving in" to these urges, but the compulsion was incredibly strong.
    
    

    Originally posted by Zanick Otherwise, yeah I've had benzo withdrawal seizures. You're going to feel fine, and if you feel better than this it's probably actually worse. You won't know it's happened except by the accounting of others. Don't be bashful in your treatment; be choosy about the anticonvulsant they give you because you'll probably be taking it for months.

    
    That is very helpfully reassuring.
    
    One thing I have to remind myself to keep the spirits up is that, simply, it will pass.
    
    Obviously tapering will allow me to make that transition a lot more smoothly, which is great.
19. 2019-01-04 at 2:49 AM UTC in (Differentially) Diagnosing a Myoclonic Seizure
    

    gadzooks Dark Matter [keratinize my mild-tasting blossoming]

    Originally posted by DietPiano What is the strikethrough code?

    
    Left square bracket + s + right square bracket.
    
    YOUR TEXT GOES HERE.
    
    Left square bracket + forward slash + s + right square bracket.
20. 2019-01-04 at 2:48 AM UTC in (Differentially) Diagnosing a Myoclonic Seizure
    

    gadzooks Dark Matter [keratinize my mild-tasting blossoming]
    First off, again, thanks folks for the positive sentiments and advice and other kinds of input.
    
    I ended up going to the walk-in medical clinic this morning and was given a tapering benzodiazepine dose, which is more than I even expected, and it's doing quite a lot to subdue the physical withdrawal symptoms I was having initially.