# In My Humble Opinion **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=126 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 127 --- ## [LA Water Catchment idea](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/la-water-catchment-idea/989319)
**Author:** [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2023, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/la-water-catchment-idea/989319 "2023-09-10T02:41:27Z")
One of the problems California faces in drought conditions is that the majority of the rain we get just runs off into the ocean. So, I had an idea… What if we turned the LA River into a series of catchment panels. The r… --- ## [Getting your dream car...from a discount genie](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-your-dream-car-from-a-discount-genie/989798)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [September 9, 2023, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-your-dream-car-from-a-discount-genie/989798 "2023-09-09T05:04:01Z")
You find a tin lamp and, while trying to clean it with a paper towel, a genie pops out. “Thank you for freeing me! As a reward, I will give you the car of your dreams…as long as it costs $20,000 or less and is for sale… --- ## [Zoom share sound problem, again](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zoom-share-sound-problem-again/989818)
**Author:** [@Mike\_Mabes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mike_Mabes)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [September 9, 2023, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zoom-share-sound-problem-again/989818 "2023-09-09T01:27:11Z")
Been doing it for a year or more, now it doesn’t work right. Just got a new laptop with Windows 11, did have 10, but I can’t see any difference in the sound settings. I can share music, but I can only hear the vocals, n… --- ## [Something to assist with balance while taking photos aboard a ship](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/something-to-assist-with-balance-while-taking-photos-aboard-a-ship/989719)
**Author:** [@dummygladhands71](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dummygladhands71)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2023, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/something-to-assist-with-balance-while-taking-photos-aboard-a-ship/989719 "2023-09-08T18:53:46Z")
My guy is recovering from a carotid arterial transplant in his leg. His balance is not quite where it needs to be for my comfort. We’re taking a music cruise at the end of October and he loves taking photos of the bands.… --- ## [Personal diary found and read by co-worker](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/personal-diary-found-and-read-by-co-worker/791464)
**Author:** [@Vanilla\_Ice](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vanilla_Ice)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2023, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/personal-diary-found-and-read-by-co-worker/791464 "2023-09-08T16:23:28Z")
Okay me: breathe. A diary of mine was mistakenly left at work and found by a co-worker. Supposedly a note had slipped out of the book and she had gone to put it back in place, but ended up reading some. This was an extre… --- ## [Advice on Dental And Vision Insurance for Retirees](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-on-dental-and-vision-insurance-for-retirees/989102)
**Author:** [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2023, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-on-dental-and-vision-insurance-for-retirees/989102 "2023-09-08T02:04:31Z")
Hi folks - I am on the verge of retirement after some 40 years in the workforce in one form or another. Yaay! I have always had dental and vision insurance available via my employer. Sometimes I was my employer. … --- ## [Do you have dreams where you are not there?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-dreams-where-you-are-not-there/989694)
**Author:** [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2023, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-dreams-where-you-are-not-there/989694 "2023-09-08T00:48:35Z")
Based on this post in the thread Common Held Beliefs or Ignorance About a Film That Drives You Crazy this question was asked. I don’t recall many of my dreams for more than a few seconds after awakening and don’t remem… --- ## [Why did tea become so popular](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-tea-become-so-popular/989427)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2023, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-tea-become-so-popular/989427 "2023-09-07T21:37:42Z")
Why did tea become so popular? I enjoy the occasional drink myself but its not like I’d kill people for it. I just heard a bit about the India Trading Company. At one point, this mega corporation commanded a private arm… --- ## [Tell me about Burning Man!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-burning-man/690204)
**Author:** [@Infovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Infovore)\ **Replies:** 81\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2023, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-burning-man/690204 "2023-09-07T17:12:58Z")
No…I don’t want to go. I’ve heard enough to know that. I’m far too attached to my creature comforts to ever contemplate camping out in a hot flat area in Nevada in the middle of summer. So instead, I plan to inflict it … --- ## [iPhone USB-C charger converter](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-usb-c-charger-converter/989693)
**Author:** [@Mike\_Mabes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mike_Mabes)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2023, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-usb-c-charger-converter/989693 "2023-09-07T16:00:03Z")
I’ve gone to several webpages and still don’t know what I need. I want to be able to charge my Uber passenger’s phones but there are so many different chargers. I know Apple is going to go to USB-C, but what convertor wo… --- ## [Have stores closed on the west coast because of rampant shoplifting?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-stores-closed-on-the-west-coast-because-of-rampant-shoplifting/949241)
**Author:** [@rbroome](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rbroome)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2023, 7:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-stores-closed-on-the-west-coast-because-of-rampant-shoplifting/949241 "2023-09-07T07:18:33Z")
I have heard several people in public talking about a problem I haven’t heard about and can’t find much about. The story goes that stores on the West Coast, including but not limited to San Francisco, have had to close b… --- ## [How did you pick an executor?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-you-pick-an-executor/988616)
**Author:** [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2023, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-you-pick-an-executor/988616 "2023-09-06T23:56:01Z")
There have been several threads on wills lately and I didn’t want to hijack them. My wife and I are putting together our will. Shouldn’t be terribly complicated. She has no children. I have 2 adult children, one with sp… --- ## [Breakfast in bed](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breakfast-in-bed/989560)
**Author:** [@SurrenderDorothy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SurrenderDorothy)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2023, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breakfast-in-bed/989560 "2023-09-06T17:28:09Z")
“Breakfast in bed” is one of those things that people do on TV or talk about doing as a luxury/a bit of spoiling. A great start for a Mother’s Day celebration or the beginning of a perfect vacation day or something. I’v… --- ## [Thoughtful and Humourous {Pointless Gendering of Products}](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughtful-and-humourous-pointless-gendering-of-products/989285)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2023, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughtful-and-humourous-pointless-gendering-of-products/989285 "2023-09-06T16:26:59Z")
This is a post about gender issues which was thoughtful but also, in parts, strange and funny. Bizarrely gendered consumer items, old stereotypes, some great comments. --- ## [UTMA Account for my Kid?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/utma-account-for-my-kid/989655)
**Author:** [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2023, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/utma-account-for-my-kid/989655 "2023-09-06T16:18:28Z")
My husband was talking to our investment accounts manager about our situation. We have a three year old autistic child with substantial support needs, who is showing tremendous academic aptitude yet has severely limited … --- ## [Landlord - tenant, collecting back rent](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/landlord-tenant-collecting-back-rent/989175)
**Author:** [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2023, 12:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/landlord-tenant-collecting-back-rent/989175 "2023-09-06T12:11:14Z")
The tenant is out (under court order) but left no information about how to contact them. The intention is to sue for back rent ($10,000) but, obviously, they have to be served/notified. If we simply send notification vi… --- ## [Ingenious product design](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ingenious-product-design/989159)
**Author:** [@dougrb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougrb)\ **Replies:** 80\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2023, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ingenious-product-design/989159 "2023-09-06T03:52:44Z")
We have a thread on stupid product design. Let’s look for the positive in the world. Since IANAP(lumber), I thought this shut off valve that can be installed on a pressurized water line is pretty cool (not cheap). What’s… --- ## [Straight Men Nipple Play](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-men-nipple-play/337839)
**Author:** [@homeskillet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/homeskillet)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2006, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-men-nipple-play/337839 "2006-01-07T23:32:03Z")
So this is a somewhat bizarre poll, but fitting since today seems to be sex survey day. A friend tonight (long story) was trying to tell me that it’s mostly gay guys that enjoy having their nipples played with. Which I… --- ## [ISO: Recommendation for Kitchen Chairs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iso-recommendation-for-kitchen-chairs/989358)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2023, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iso-recommendation-for-kitchen-chairs/989358 "2023-09-04T23:07:06Z")
Our kitchen chairs are perhaps a year old from a discount furniture store. Unfortunately, the construction is poor. I have done everything to bolster them, but alas nothing is lasting. I seek recommendations for any qual… --- ## [Ideas for a "lift" from my deck down to the yard (kind of long, for the sake of thoroughness)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ideas-for-a-lift-from-my-deck-down-to-the-yard-kind-of-long-for-the-sake-of-thoroughness/989573)
**Author:** [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2023, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ideas-for-a-lift-from-my-deck-down-to-the-yard-kind-of-long-for-the-sake-of-thoroughness/989573 "2023-09-04T19:44:46Z")
Our house is built on a slope, from the front of the house to the back. The main living floor is one story above the street in front; the street level is the 1-car garage plus more living space, and this level has the de… --- ## [Help with a potential plot point?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-a-potential-plot-point/989565)
**Author:** [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2023, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-a-potential-plot-point/989565 "2023-09-04T19:03:26Z")
I have no idea where to look for the answer, so here I am :slightly\_smiling\_face: Police are summoned to what appears to be a bloody crime scene, no body. How long would it take them to determine that the blood was, in … --- ## [Is Trump's well-known shtick "I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody.." a conceit as I have heard commentators say in the media?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-trumps-well-known-shtick-i-could-stand-in-the-middle-of-fifth-avenue-and-shoot-somebody-a-conceit-as-i-have-heard-commentators-say-in-the-media/970705)
**Author:** [@Octagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octagon)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2023, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-trumps-well-known-shtick-i-could-stand-in-the-middle-of-fifth-avenue-and-shoot-somebody-a-conceit-as-i-have-heard-commentators-say-in-the-media/970705 "2023-09-04T17:56:11Z")
Is Trump’s well-known shtick “I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody…” a conceit as I have heard commentators in the media describe it? The word ‘conceit’ has such a fluid meaning these days. I ce… --- ## [If you frequently ask someone to give you a ride, what do/should you do in return?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-frequently-ask-someone-to-give-you-a-ride-what-do-should-you-do-in-return/989249)
**Author:** [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Replies:** 85\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2023, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-frequently-ask-someone-to-give-you-a-ride-what-do-should-you-do-in-return/989249 "2023-09-04T12:24:56Z")
If you were in a position where you had to ask someone to give you a ride to fairly frequently, like pretty much at least once a week, what would you feel like you should do in return? Like, offer gas money? Or help i… --- ## [Was the smear campaign against the Kulaks in any way deserved?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-the-smear-campaign-against-the-kulaks-in-any-way-deserved/989496)
**Author:** [@Octagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octagon)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2023, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-the-smear-campaign-against-the-kulaks-in-any-way-deserved/989496 "2023-09-04T01:01:51Z")
Were there any aspects of the Bolshevik smear campaign against the Kulaks that were deserved? Did they mistreat the peasants ? Did they engage in usury ? Was this all just Bolshevik propaganda ? --- ## [Preventing toilet bowl evaporation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preventing-toilet-bowl-evaporation/989274)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2023, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preventing-toilet-bowl-evaporation/989274 "2023-09-03T14:53:54Z")
Wife and I are custodians of a house that will be unoccupied and unvisited for probably the next six months or more. We were last in the house three months ago, and I made sure all the sink traps and toilet bowls were f… --- ## [Fan Light Capacitor](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fan-light-capacitor/988765)
**Author:** [@Vito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vito)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2023, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fan-light-capacitor/988765 "2023-09-03T14:07:53Z")
Original Fan capacitor E183963 Yel-5u/250v, Pur-5u/250, Gray-4.5/280 New E215893 Gray-4.8/250, Pur-6/250 Yel-8/250 The gray and yellow are reversed from the original Can i use the new one? --- ## [Amateur CGI? (Haunted house)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amateur-cgi-haunted-house/989528)
**Author:** [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 2, 2023, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amateur-cgi-haunted-house/989528 "2023-09-02T21:44:49Z")
Below is a video of a supposedly “haunted house”. Of course I think it’s nonsense. But I have to say the graphics are impressive. (Bonus points for getting the dog to play along). So is there software out there that peo… --- ## [All right ... so how do I sue U-Haul in small claims court?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-right-so-how-do-i-sue-u-haul-in-small-claims-court/131207)
**Author:** [@toadspittle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toadspittle)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [September 2, 2023, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-right-so-how-do-i-sue-u-haul-in-small-claims-court/131207 "2023-09-02T16:47:38Z")
I just moved over Labor Day weekend (from NYC upstate to Ulster County, NY). I was supposed to have been getting a truck from U-Haul. I made a reservation 45 days in advance. I got no truck. I had to rent from another co… --- ## [Anyone live in an apartment, and own an EV?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-live-in-an-apartment-and-own-an-ev/989278)
**Author:** [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [September 1, 2023, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-live-in-an-apartment-and-own-an-ev/989278 "2023-09-01T22:44:36Z")
I’m on the market for a new car, and, albeit my current car gets about the best mileage out there (41mpg), when I bought it, and gas stations having EV chargers wasn’t a thing in Indiana, back in 2016, I really hoped thi… --- ## [Better SW for FrontEnding Data Input into MS SQL Server: Tableau or Crystal Reports?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-sw-for-frontending-data-input-into-ms-sql-server-tableau-or-crystal-reports/989423)
**Author:** [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [September 1, 2023, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-sw-for-frontending-data-input-into-ms-sql-server-tableau-or-crystal-reports/989423 "2023-09-01T21:16:13Z")
In the workplace I want to create a web-based front end in which outside folks will fill in forms and click a ‘submit’ button and it creates a new data row in a Microsoft SQL Server table. Left to my own devices, I’d wh… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=125) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=127)