# In My Humble Opinion **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=1499 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1500 --- ## [Help me find good examples of a "birthday present" montage/photomontage](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-good-examples-of-a-birthday-present-montage-photomontage/625738)
**Author:** [@bldysabba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bldysabba)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2012, 11:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-good-examples-of-a-birthday-present-montage-photomontage/625738 "2012-06-20T11:53:33Z")
Hello folks. I’m planning a surprise birthday party for my dad. As one element of the surprise, I was thinking of putting together a bunch of family photos and/or videos, set to music, with messages / a story. You know … --- ## [Would aliens have a sense of humor?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-aliens-have-a-sense-of-humor/625688)
**Author:** [@YourAdHere](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YourAdHere)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2012, 7:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-aliens-have-a-sense-of-humor/625688 "2012-06-20T07:34:18Z")
I realize that this question is likely ridiculous, vague, and not able to be answered with anything but wild speculation, or a PhD thesis, which is why I put it here. Mods, feel free to move it. I guess my question is:… --- ## [Donating very lightly used bras -- yea or nay?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donating-very-lightly-used-bras-yea-or-nay/620076)
**Author:** [@Drain\_Bead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drain_Bead)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2012, 7:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donating-very-lightly-used-bras-yea-or-nay/620076 "2012-06-20T07:24:24Z")
Help settle an argument between me and my husband. I will not say who is taking which side of this debate so as not to influence it in any way. We are getting together a donation pile for Goodwill. I have a bunch of bra… --- ## [Maximum shipping cost for bulky heavy crated item.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maximum-shipping-cost-for-bulky-heavy-crated-item/625656)
**Author:** [@Darryl\_Lict](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darryl_Lict)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2012, 6:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maximum-shipping-cost-for-bulky-heavy-crated-item/625656 "2012-06-20T06:50:21Z")
I need to find a rough upward bound for shipping costs for a roughly 300 pound 6’x3’x3’ crate containing a very rugged item. The originating address would be in Santa Barbara. I need to find a shipping address in a sma… --- ## [Trendy catch phrases you've had enough of...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trendy-catch-phrases-youve-had-enough-of/625336)
**Author:** [@oreally](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/oreally)\ **Replies:** 107\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2012, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trendy-catch-phrases-youve-had-enough-of/625336 "2012-06-20T05:48:26Z")
Pet peeve - just wondering which grate on people the most :slight\_smile: --- ## [SDMB anthem poll](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-anthem-poll/625324)
**Author:** [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2012, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-anthem-poll/625324 "2012-06-20T01:48:09Z")
This came up in a resurrected Frank thread about “God Bless America” and stuff. Does the SDMB have an anthem? Do we want one? I of course think everything that lacks an anthem should find something vaguely progadelic, m… --- ## [Question for anyone who's lost someone in a War on Terror war](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-anyone-whos-lost-someone-in-a-war-on-terror-war/625694)
**Author:** [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2012, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-anyone-whos-lost-someone-in-a-war-on-terror-war/625694 "2012-06-19T22:50:30Z")
Does which front they died in effect how you feel about it? (IOW-you feel better about losing them in Afghanistan) --- ## [Illegal immigration.. your stance?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/illegal-immigration-your-stance/625599)
**Author:** [@the\_apples\_fell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_apples_fell)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2012, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/illegal-immigration-your-stance/625599 "2012-06-19T22:33:23Z")
I am withholding my opinion on this one but I want yours. --- ## [New top level domains](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-top-level-domains/625661)
**Author:** [@treis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/treis)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2012, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-top-level-domains/625661 "2012-06-19T22:23:56Z")
What do y’all think of the new top level domains that will be coming out soon? See this article if you don’t know what these are: http://www.pcworld.com/article/257430/the\_top\_10\_proposed\_new\_toplevel\_domains\_so\_far.htm… --- ## [Whats the straight dope on Maximizer vs Quikrete concrete Mix?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-straight-dope-on-maximizer-vs-quikrete-concrete-mix/625587)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2012, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-straight-dope-on-maximizer-vs-quikrete-concrete-mix/625587 "2012-06-19T19:59:39Z")
pouring a 4’ x 8’ 4 in slab. Home Depot guy urged me to use Maximizer because it requires less bags and is supposedly stronger PSI. It’s also more expensive. :rolleyes: But, Home Depot guy claims the cost is about the… --- ## [Is anything an acceptable risk for you but not your spouse/children? What is it? Why?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-anything-an-acceptable-risk-for-you-but-not-your-spouse-children-what-is-it-why/625655)
**Author:** [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2012, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-anything-an-acceptable-risk-for-you-but-not-your-spouse-children-what-is-it-why/625655 "2012-06-19T19:45:17Z")
No long setup here, but a few definitions. For the purpose of this thread, spouse means “monogamous, long-term, no-set-expiration-date partner, regardless of gender or legal status.” Likewise, child includes stepchildr… --- ## [Lanscapers and garden mavens: Need a bulletproof irrigation valve](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lanscapers-and-garden-mavens-need-a-bulletproof-irrigation-valve/625657)
**Author:** [@Cardinal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardinal)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2012, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lanscapers-and-garden-mavens-need-a-bulletproof-irrigation-valve/625657 "2012-06-19T17:57:24Z")
My dad’s good and sick of replacing irrigation solenoid valves, and he wants to know the best to get, cost be hanged. Is there a clear winner? --- ## [Need help for short story idea!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-for-short-story-idea/625663)
**Author:** [@Diamonds02](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diamonds02)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2012, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-for-short-story-idea/625663 "2012-06-19T17:54:30Z")
Me and a few of my friends like to write short stories. Two of us are thinking of writing a short horror story and submitting it to one of those creepy story sites. We want it to revolve around an underground church in … --- ## [How do you decide what's the straight dope? (vs. propaganda)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-decide-whats-the-straight-dope-vs-propaganda/625651)
**Author:** [@bldysabba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bldysabba)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2012, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-decide-whats-the-straight-dope-vs-propaganda/625651 "2012-06-19T16:10:53Z")
Over the last week, Indian media has been reporting ceasefire violations by the Pakistani army at the line of control in Kashmir. The Pakistani media seem to be ignoring the story. The one article I could find on the t… --- ## [Have you had a metaphorical moment?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-had-a-metaphorical-moment/625619)
**Author:** [@jackdavinci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackdavinci)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2012, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-had-a-metaphorical-moment/625619 "2012-06-19T15:19:15Z")
Have you ever felt like your life was going nowhere, and then the wheels on your car start literally spinning in place? Have you been feeling like its been too long since you’ve dealt with your basic issues, and then re… --- ## [It's summertime! Which means it's also time to list your favorite theme park rides/rollercoasters!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-summertime-which-means-its-also-time-to-list-your-favorite-theme-park-rides-rollercoasters/624964)
**Author:** [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2012, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-summertime-which-means-its-also-time-to-list-your-favorite-theme-park-rides-rollercoasters/624964 "2012-06-19T13:50:49Z")
I love coasters and such, but my favorite is the one where you ride on a raft down a whitewater river full of rapids and falls-and you get to play Waterfall Roulette! I recall once when my sister got absolutely soaked w… --- ## [Another thread about shorts. Calling all ladies ages 27-35.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-thread-about-shorts-calling-all-ladies-ages-27-35/625344)
**Author:** [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2012, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-thread-about-shorts-calling-all-ladies-ages-27-35/625344 "2012-06-19T13:49:35Z")
It’s summer and I need shorts. Just regular shorts that a young adult woman would wear outside to, say, brunch. I don’t have any extraordinary restrictions, no fixation on brands or cost, not trying to find miracle shor… --- ## [Father's Day IMHO: How are you most/least like your father?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fathers-day-imho-how-are-you-most-least-like-your-father/625407)
**Author:** [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2012, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fathers-day-imho-how-are-you-most-least-like-your-father/625407 "2012-06-19T13:08:37Z")
What would you say was your biggest inheritance from your father in terms of personality/intellect/interest/etc. (not in terms of material or monetary inheritance)? How would you count yourself most different? --- ## [Everybody makes fun of NJ for being awful. What does NJ have that's the best you can get anywhere?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everybody-makes-fun-of-nj-for-being-awful-what-does-nj-have-thats-the-best-you-can-get-anywhere/623726)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 101\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2012, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everybody-makes-fun-of-nj-for-being-awful-what-does-nj-have-thats-the-best-you-can-get-anywhere/623726 "2012-06-19T12:33:27Z")
Surely there must be something? --- ## [Tell me about your immigrant parents' language problems](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-your-immigrant-parents-language-problems/623182)
**Author:** [@Rodgers01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rodgers01)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2012, 10:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-your-immigrant-parents-language-problems/623182 "2012-06-19T10:19:08Z")
I’m trying to write a piece about a kid whose immigrant parents either never learned their new country’s language or learned it poorly, and about the assimilated child’s reaction. I’d love to hear some personal experien… --- ## [Explain this Spanish Youtube video?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-this-spanish-youtube-video/625457)
**Author:** [@LC\_Strawhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LC_Strawhouse)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2012, 6:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-this-spanish-youtube-video/625457 "2012-06-19T06:55:41Z")
I was sent this Spanish youtube video the other day. It looks kind of silly, but I don’t speak much Spanish and it’s hard to figure out. I was curious if it’s trying to comment on some certain subculture that exists in… --- ## [Places not to stay in Seattle and San Francisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/places-not-to-stay-in-seattle-and-san-francisco/625475)
**Author:** [@ThisOneGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThisOneGuy)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2012, 6:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/places-not-to-stay-in-seattle-and-san-francisco/625475 "2012-06-19T06:35:13Z")
So, got some folks coming over this summer, doing a west coast thing. Going to be driving to Seattle, then down to San Francisco. Being a small town Utah boy without the big city wiles, I wonder what parts of these cit… --- ## [What's The Optimum Way To Mow an Irregular Shaped Lawn?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-optimum-way-to-mow-an-irregular-shaped-lawn/625575)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2012, 6:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-optimum-way-to-mow-an-irregular-shaped-lawn/625575 "2012-06-19T06:24:24Z")
The mover mfg. recommends that yo mow in a grid pattern-that is, mow in one direction, turn 180 degrees and mw that way-repeat till you have covered the lawn. Wouldn’t it be better to mow in a circular spiral pattern? T… --- ## [How do I start over?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-start-over/625527)
**Author:** [@The\_Mad\_Hermit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Mad_Hermit)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2012, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-start-over/625527 "2012-06-19T05:39:53Z")
To fill in my background: I started out here nearly 11 years ago as a diabetic with a job. My health deteriorated over time; I stopped working and stayed home most of the time, occupying myself on the internet. It starte… --- ## [Anyone ever built a wall or shower surround out of glass blocks?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-ever-built-a-wall-or-shower-surround-out-of-glass-blocks/625541)
**Author:** [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2012, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-ever-built-a-wall-or-shower-surround-out-of-glass-blocks/625541 "2012-06-19T01:44:03Z")
I’m doing some remodeling and putting in a 3/4 bath that only had a WC before. I wanted to make the shower surround out of glass blocks, after seeing some pictures of other bathrooms (this is instead of a regular glass w… --- ## [Help me troubleshoot a busted soaker hose](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-troubleshoot-a-busted-soaker-hose/625511)
**Author:** [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2012, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-troubleshoot-a-busted-soaker-hose/625511 "2012-06-19T01:40:12Z")
I turned the faucet on yesterday to water my gardens, and when I came around the corner of my house, I heard a very loud spray of water coming from the middle of my daisies. Turns out one of my soaker hoses had sprung a … --- ## [How reasonable is this? (contracting estimate)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-reasonable-is-this-contracting-estimate/625556)
**Author:** [@pbbth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pbbth)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [June 18, 2012, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-reasonable-is-this-contracting-estimate/625556 "2012-06-18T20:54:18Z")
My husband and I are in the process of buying a house. It is a lovely house but was built in 1918 and has some necessary repairs that must be done once we purchase it so we are getting estimates from contractors to dete… --- ## [Are you suspicious of threads like this?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-suspicious-of-threads-like-this/625446)
**Author:** [@ethelbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ethelbert)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [June 18, 2012, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-suspicious-of-threads-like-this/625446 "2012-06-18T19:28:32Z")
This thread here is an old thread (not that old, maybe six months). It was just resurrected by someone who had just joined for the purpose of making a very specific recommendation. Whenever someone in this forum makes a … --- ## [Experiences with vision therapy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/experiences-with-vision-therapy/625331)
**Author:** [@biqu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/biqu)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [June 18, 2012, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/experiences-with-vision-therapy/625331 "2012-06-18T15:01:39Z")
I went for an eye exam yesterday, after four years since my last optometrist appointment. The lens power needed to achieve normal visual acuity is still not appreciably different from the prescription I was given four y… --- ## [Please help: Cat won't stop peeing.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-cat-wont-stop-peeing/625019)
**Author:** [@Agent\_Foxtrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agent_Foxtrot)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [June 18, 2012, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-cat-wont-stop-peeing/625019 "2012-06-18T13:58:10Z")
In our household we have 4 cats. They’re all pretty healthy, except for one. She’s the sweetest, most lovable cat ever. She’s also very low-energy, overweight, and has had a history of multiple tooth decay. She’s occasi… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=1498) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=1500)