This article was originally published on Mako
Not every day is a day to write home about. In fact, there are some days that we wish would "just end already". From those who have paid the price for failing to do a proper check of their vehicle's perimeter, to the poor decisions that some people have made when it comes to their personal grooming, these are some of the ways in which people's days have gone from bad to worse...
"A Perfect O-For-5"
There was a time when, if someone was going to try to cheat on an exam, they would have had to write a bunch of notes on a tiny "cheat sheet" and hope not to be seen by the exam supervisor. These days, people who try and cut corners, instead of gaining the higher education they're paying for, are more inclined to use their smartphones or laptops to do so.
If someone's going to cheat using as many devices as this person, and still get the answer wrong, they deserve to fail whichever course they're taking.
"You Have Got To Be Kidding Me! "
After living in a city for a few years, one would believe that they most likely have experienced all of the different weather events that could occur there. For instance, if someone lives down in New Orleans or Southern Florida, they should expect to be caught in a torrential downpour or two every year. In those places, residents usually get themselves (and their property) insured against the expected storms. Damages from some events, however, are simply uninsurable...
No insurer will believe someone who claims that their car caught fire while submerged in water. One, or the other, sure. But not both.
"At Least He Tried"
At some point in their lives, everyone does something that they don't really want to do because they know that it will make someone whom they love happy. One man decided to throw caution to the wind when he gave up his multi-year holdout and finally took his wife up on her offer to join her at the ballet. After all, how bad could the experience really turn out to be?
The tickets said that the view would be obstructed, but this is just ridiculous. How could a theatre possibly justify selling a seat with a view that is directly impeded by a giant pillar? It's inconceivable!
"His Eyes Are Too Big For His Stomach"
By the time that Gerald had finished up work for the day, all that was going through his mind was how much pasta he was going to make after he gets home. You see, Gerald doesn't usually have much time to eat at work, as he's always running from one place to another, so when he gets home he generally cooks a feast fit for royalty. There's just one problem...
... He always prepares WAY too much food. It's been a problem all his life, but it's something he's consciously working on.
"It Was Time For A New Car Anyway"
One of the first things that a driving instructor teaches their students is to do a quick walk around the vehicle before getting inside. Make no mistake, it might seem like a useless practice in which to partake, but even if there's a 0.01% chance of there being something wrong with the vehicle, it will be worth the 2-minute check...
Without a doubt, there is literally no other option here, the only thing to do is submit to the monster's will and abandon the vehicle.
"Stick To Your Day Job"
Whether baking, painting, dancing or jogging, from the time that the COVID-19 pandemic struck in the spring of 2020, until now, almost everyone has tried their hand at something they had never done before. Due to the lack of services that were available through most of that year, that included a few things that one should probably ask for help with, as opposed to trying to go it alone.
Like haircuts. For someone who's been at home for a few months because of a lockdown, this isn't the worst look around. He pretty much the poster child for 2020.
"Something Doesn't Sound Right"
It is tough to find a good pair of headphones. And I don't mean ones that just sit comfortably on or in the ears. A good pair must also have an excellent sound quality and, most importantly, last longer than a few months. This next example is of an individual who had only been using theirs for short time before realizing that the sound on the right side wasn't coming through as loud as the left.
After taking the headphones back to the shop, and complaining to the store's manager about the quality of the product, this person was kindly shown that they had forgotten to remove some of the packaging.
"I'll Wait For The Next Stop"
There are a number of places around the world where checking the local weather forecast is more of a formality than something that will directly affect the outcome of an individual's day. In the other places, however, the ones that experience a combination of lots of precipitation and temperatures that drop below 0°. If the weatherperson in those places says that it might be a good idea to leave work earlier to avoid the storm, you should probably listen...
Climbing out of the subway car after a 10-hour workday and a 30-minute commute is definitely not ideal, but it is life for anyone who doesn't heed their weatherperson's warnings.
"That'll Do It"
Every town has a restaurant that makes food that isn't all that great but, somehow, because of its connection to the community, the establishment has managed to survive for decades longer than it should have. After a few poor experiences, it's not uncommon for people to swear off eating at these places, but if the reason isn't strong enough, at some point, everyone ends up back there...
If there were ever a reason to stop getting food from a specific establishment, finding a used bandaid baked into a slice of pizza is it.
"This Is Not What We Signed Up For... "
When deciding on a new place to live there are many different factors that come into play. For the people who prioritize location over anything else, finding a place in the heart of the city that looks out toward the horizon would, probably, do the trick. However, picking an apartment strictly for the view it provides might end up backfiring sometime down the line...
That partial sunset view that these folks had been so fond of was replaced a few years later by the reflective beauty of the new condos that now surround it.
"Its Belly Just Really Needed To Be Rubbed"
In this world, there are dog people and there are cat people. Having grown accustomed to the prissy nature of felines, cat people are usually able to get along with dogs pretty well. On the contrary, however, when around cats, dog people sometimes forget that cats are not dogs, and they don't give them enough space. Instead, they go for that "one more" fateful cuddle...
... And this is what happens. Even though they are adorable and fuzzy, one must remember that a cat has razorblades built in to their hands and feet.
"What A View! "
There are some places around the world that, no matter how much anyone tells us about them or how many pictures we see, nothing will compare to the real thing. The Grand Canyon is on that list of must-see locations, and people have flown (and driven) from far and wide to see it. Well, not everyone who has traveled to America's scar has been fortunate enough to see it...
Before driving halfway across the country, or even just an hour away, do everyone a favour and check the forecast. If it's going to be overcast, maybe reschedule certain plans for another time.
"Couldn't Be Further From The Truth"
During the fateful year that was 2020, since most shops were closed for in-store shopping, a married couple of front-line workers (nurses) decided to place an online order for a few shirts. A few weeks after placing their order, a package showed up at their door. Full of excitement, they rushed to open the box to try on their new clothes but were shocked at what they had found...
The shirts that they had ordered were not there. In their stead, the nurses were sent the shirts above. Needless to say, these shirts became somewhat of an inside joke amongst them.
"Red Is Definitely Her Colour"
Following her person around day after day, and watching her get dressed up for those special occasions, is all the convincing that Stella needed in order for her to want to doll herself up as well. You see, Stella is willing to go to any lengths when it comes to doing the things that her person does, because she loves her very much and would do anything to be just like her.
Apparently, it helps to have opposable thumbs when putting lipstick on. Also, eating the make-up is not the same thing as applying it to one's self.
"Those Buns Have Got Some Bite"
Cinnamon buns are a great treat for the family, but they take more time to prepare than most people have to spare. When the day arrives in which the swirling cinnamon dream does come to fruition, remember, baking desserts isn't like making dinner. It's important to follow the ingredients and directions to a tee. That includes making sure that the added items aren't expired and that they're actually meant to go into the mixing bowl.
This is a great example of why it's imperative to double and triple-check all ingredients before adding them to anything that's being made. Otherwise, you might be in for a fiery delight.
"It's Not A Suggestion"
In case it wasn't clear enough from the start, those big letters on a package that reads "FRAGILE", and are followed by "HANDLE WITH CARE", mean that the contents of the package should be transported carefully because whatever is in there could very well break. That's kind of the reason why so many people choose to pay the extra money to ensure the safe transport of whatever they're shipping.
This package appears to have received the old Ace Ventura treatment. To be fair, this package is in a lot better condition than many others that I've seen.
"I Know It's Called Shoe String Pasta, But... Really? "
The saying "when it rains it pours" couldn't be more accurate sometimes. A day could seem as though it's going just fine but then in a short span of time someone can have their evening plans canceled, find out that they're going to have to make their own dinner, and then just when everything has seemingly gotten as bad as it could get, this happens...
On the plus side, it's time to get new shoes. However, getting to the shoe store is going to be a bit of a squishy experience.
"So Long Old Friend"
If someone decides to use beauty care products, they should be kept in good condition. After all, for the most part, they go near our faces, mouths, and other sensitive parts that the majority of us would prefer to remain in top-notch condition, and infection-free. Replacing products as soon as they've displayed a failure to function how they should, is the best way to avoid painful and embarrassing accidents from taking place.
Either she was in a hurry to go somewhere and was curling her eyelashes too quickly due to the excitement, or it was time to upgrade her beauty care products - perhaps both.
"That's Not Very Reassuring"
Compared to the other modes of transportation, air travel has probably come the longest way from where it was a few decades ago. There are, however, still many people who are hesitant to fly, and understandably so. When it comes to flying, there are many unknowns for passengers, but it is actually one of the safest ways to travel... once it takes off, at least. First, someone on the ground needs to properly connect the boarding bridge so passengers could get on.
On the one hand, the person taking the picture should be thrilled that they weren't on that boarding bridge when it collapsed. On the other hand, they'll probably be a bit nervous now when it comes to departing the plane they're on.
"Ooops... "
When winter comes to an end, that means that it's time to begin preparations for spring cleaning. This is the time of year when all of the winter blues get cleaned away and the freshness of the new season moves in. Making sure that all of the grungy parts of the house are dusted, swept, and mopped, will take a while but it will be worth it once everything is sparkling clean...
Okay, so, spring cleaning didn't go quite as well as they had hoped, but how were they supposed to know that by dusting the top of the cupboards, the entire unit was going to collapse?
"The Great White North"
When a young family is trying to decide on where would be best to plant some roots and set up shop, they're generally searching for a home that's large enough that they won't have to move once the kids start showing up. Unfortunately, owning a large house isn't very affordable these days and, as a result, a lot of people are settling for larger homes that are in cities with less desirable climates.
Frost coming through the walls of the house is a clear sign that, perhaps, living in the middle of Alberta (where it reaches temperatures of -50° and lower on an annual basis) was the wrong decision.
"Stick With The Toast Next Time"
Something that's become a lot more common in recent years is the use of clips to seal bags of chips and cereal bags. This practice keeps the product tasting fresher for longer, but it also acts as a security system of sorts. Like a police officer passing by a nightclub that's open too late, the clips shut down access to the snack. Those who are yet to switch to bag clips might think twice after having a bowl of Corn Flakes like this one...
As terrifying and disgusting as this would be, what makes it even worse is that they didn't spot the arachnid until about halfway through breakfast.
"They Said It Was A Powerful Scent"
There are many reasons why someone might need to replace the sink in their washroom. It could be an issue with the plumbing that's causing the problems or, perhaps the porcelain of the sink's basin has aged poorly and begun to rust. Then again, maybe it's just time to upgrade from the same old sink that's been there for decades.
One of the last things that this person probably expected to find as the cause of their broken sink is a bottle of cologne. The bottle is apparently indestructible by the way.
"A Little Too Much Off The Bottom"
For some people, getting a haircut is a pretty big deal. They won't let just anyone go near their head with a pair of scissors or trimmers unless they are their regular stylist or, on rare occasions, if the person comes highly recommended. At least once in their lives, everyone makes the mistake of trusting the wrong person with their hair. We just have to hope that it's not at a pivotal moment in our lives - like a first date...
A little bit of an uneven neckline isn't too bad. If they're on a date, ideally, the other person will be looking at their face (not the back of their head) at dinner.
"Wilson!?!?!? "
There is a long history of packages not being delivered to the people for whom they were sent. Film legend, and multiple Academy Award winner, Tom Hanks even starred in a film about one of the reasons why those packages might not end up at their final destinations. If he would have ended up in the woods instead of on an island, the beginning of the film might have looked a little different...
The weird thing about this whole situation is that the pilot reported that they had delivered all of these packages, a claim that was obviously refuted by the empty-handed recipients.
"Yeah, They Found Out"
Suzie Q thought that it would be a good idea to borrow her parents' car without their permission while they were out of town. She figured, that if she only used it for short trips to and from her friend's places, they'd never find out. She even went as far as to do the responsible thing and refill the fuel tank before her folks got home.
And that's when tragedy struck. Or, something did, at least. As she was leaving the petrol station, a piece of wood from the truck in front of her impaled the windshield. Suzie Q was unharmed.
"Why Are The Insides On The Outside? "
After watching a few episodes of Extreme Home Makeover, viewers tend to think that they are fully capable of performing all of the tasks that they've watched the hosts perform, and sometimes even more. The fact that certain renovations should only be done by professionals cannot be stressed enough. When certain tasks get taken on by amateurs, 9 times out of 10, it will end in disaster.
Doing work in the attic is a sensitive task. One misstep can literally end with everything collapsing around an unsuspecting DIY home renovator. Luckily, no one was brushing their teeth when this happened.
"Figured That One Out A Bit Too Late"
Over the past few years, the dining experience has changed quite a bit from what it was pre-pandemic. There are a few things that haven't changed about it, however. Like the delicious fresh-baked dinner rolls that precurse the main course in fancy restaurants, or the bottle full of olive oil that's on the table as a condiment along with the salt, pepper, and butter.
Only this wasn't a bottle of olive oil on the table, was it? Nope. It was a hand sanitizer pump that was placed there courtesy of the health-conscious management of the restaurant.
"This Cake Says It All"
Valentine's Day is an internationally recognized day in which people who have partners are expected to do something special for each other in order to prove how much their love for one another means. While some people expect jewels or expensive gifts from their loved ones, year after year, other people have created their own Valentine's traditions that include delicious cake and quality time together (eating the cake).
Somewhere along this cake's commute, a few of its message's letters seem to have up and walked away. Although it should have said "I Love You", "yo" is just as romantic. Well, it is for this couple, at least.
"Darn Phone Keeps Overheating"
There are some people who thrive in the morning, and others who don't manage to get their brains kickstarted until sometime after they've had their first coffee of the day. However, like our next entry on this list of fails, getting to that first cup of coffee can sometimes be a lot more work than one has signed up for, and, apparently, charging one's phone can be as well.
This poor soul was too tired to realize that their phone's charging port was really the base of their coffee machine and nearly melted their smartphone altogether.
"One 'Lord of The Rings' Movie Later... "
In the winter/spring of 2020, the world as we knew it changed. Air travel was grounded, borders were closed and any hope of going on a relaxing holiday for the foreseeable future was out the window. That meant that anyone who had already booked a flight would have to go through the process of attempting to be reimbursed for their trip - which, as we all know, is very quick and easy to do...
Call customer service they said. Someone will be with me in just a few minutes they said. I'm the next caller they said.
"The Light Shines Brightest At Night"
Escaping the hustle and bustle of city life and running off to a quiet cottage somewhere in the wilderness is what some people need to do in order to unwind. There wouldn't be loud screaming strangers at every turn. The only noises there would be are the sounds of nature, the page of a book turning, or perhaps the crackle of a campfire. At least, that's what these next people thought they were signing up for...
They were wrong. Shortly after moving into their new hidden paradise, reality struck in the form of a floodlight from the neighboring property.
"Uber Would Have Been Cheaper, Faster, And The Driver Would Have Provided A Bottle Of Water"
It's no secret that the healthcare system in the United States has its serious flaws. When an individual is injured and needs a traffic-free ride to the hospital ASAP, they shouldn't have to be concerned about whether or not they'll be able to pay the incurred transportation fee. But that's precisely what happens every day. The failure here falls on the United States healthcare system.
$420.62 for a ride to the E.R. in an ambulance is outrageous. Certain services, when needed for emergency purposes, should be available to everyone, not just those who can afford it.
"Riggs Said They Helped Him Kick His Smoking Habit"
If celebrated properly, the holiday season should be filled with love, laughter, music, and a ridiculous amount of incredibly delicious foods. If baking isn't your forte, but you've been chosen as the one to bring cookies for dessert, the good news is there are grocery stores and shops all over town that have got you covered. Just remember to read the label carefully before making the final decision.
Let's just hope that they realized that these were Christmas-themed dog biscuits before trying one, not after. At least Fido's going to get something special for the holidays.
"Take Two"
After completing one of the toughest projects at work that he had worked on thus far, Scotty thought it would be a good idea to pick up a celebratory bottle of wine for him and his partner to enjoy with dinner. Scotty had everything planned out, picked up, and ready to go, but just as he was getting to the door of the house, he was startled by his neighbour's dog, Stella, who appeared to be wearing lipstick.
In the kerfuffle, Scotty dropped the bottle of wine. Glass and primo merlot were all over the driveway, and Scotty was on his way back to the liquor store to try again.