# In My Humble Opinion **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=978 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 979 --- ## [Your favorite day of the year](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-day-of-the-year/703262)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2014, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-day-of-the-year/703262 "2014-12-25T03:57:43Z")
I heard some people I know say halloween is their favorite day of the year. I took it on faith for most people their favorite day of the year is Christmas. Where do other people stand, is there a lot of variety in the an… --- ## [Need urgent assistance--pre-Christmas issues](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-urgent-assistance-pre-christmas-issues/708027)
**Author:** [@WonderdingMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WonderdingMom)\ **Replies:** 76\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2014, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-urgent-assistance-pre-christmas-issues/708027 "2014-12-25T03:01:42Z")
Hello everyone and happy holidays. My older sister is happily married with two teenage sons living two hundred miles away, so we do not see each other that often. Here comes the part where I need any of your advice. Las… --- ## [Is belief voluntary or involuntary?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-belief-voluntary-or-involuntary/707933)
**Author:** [@iljitsch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iljitsch)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2014, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-belief-voluntary-or-involuntary/707933 "2014-12-24T21:16:28Z")
No, I don’t mean that someone else is making you believe something against your will. My question is: can you decide to adopt religious belief, or is it something that just happens to you, that you don’t have any consci… --- ## [Is an ipad really necessary?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-an-ipad-really-necessary/707995)
**Author:** [@Pauly01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pauly01)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2014, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-an-ipad-really-necessary/707995 "2014-12-24T21:16:23Z")
Have a laptop and an old iphone. I heard about ipad long time ago but never cared for it b/c i had laptop and a phone. I had android phone then went to an iphone. I always thought an ipad was not necessary and expensive. … --- ## [Portland Oregon neighborhood advice](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/portland-oregon-neighborhood-advice/707684)
**Author:** [@Motorgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Motorgirl)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2014, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/portland-oregon-neighborhood-advice/707684 "2014-12-24T14:49:05Z")
Some mid-40s friends are looking at weekend vacation rentals (airbnb, homeaway, etc) in Portland OR and I’m wondering if anyone has any advice on which neighborhoods would be best to stay in. By “best” they’d mean: not … --- ## [Relationship advice / thoughts.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/relationship-advice-thoughts/706506)
**Author:** [@Quasimodal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodal)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2014, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/relationship-advice-thoughts/706506 "2014-12-24T14:48:36Z")
I’ve been having thoughts of breaking up with my girlfriend…but I’m worried I’m suffering from “grass is greener syndrome”. I met this girl about six months ago while in Vancouver. I live on the prairies so we are long … --- ## [Indie pub house wants a "promotional plan" from me. HALP.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/indie-pub-house-wants-a-promotional-plan-from-me-halp/707967)
**Author:** [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2014, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/indie-pub-house-wants-a-promotional-plan-from-me-halp/707967 "2014-12-24T13:34:09Z")
After SFFPIt and PitMad on Twitter, I had several agents interested in my first novel. I sent all of them what they wanted. One of them–a small indie e-book/print-on-demand house–now wants to see a full manuscript. They… --- ## [Why did my toilet seat turn blue?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-my-toilet-seat-turn-blue/706049)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 77\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2014, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-my-toilet-seat-turn-blue/706049 "2014-12-24T13:23:09Z")
I’ll bet that of all the zillions of topics and questions that have been covered on the SDMB, this is a first. One day a couple of weeks ago, I noticed that my toilet seat had turned blue. The blue IRL is a little darke… --- ## [Is this joke offensive/morally reprehensible?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-joke-offensive-morally-reprehensible/707659)
**Author:** [@andrea\_green](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andrea_green)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2014, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-joke-offensive-morally-reprehensible/707659 "2014-12-24T13:05:24Z")
I received a joke via e-mail yesterday that I found offensive. I replied to the author to explain why I felt it was wrong. Before sharing my opinion on it, I would love to hear your view as to whether this is a reasona… --- ## [Candle making question: testing wax hardness](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/candle-making-question-testing-wax-hardness/707985)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2014, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/candle-making-question-testing-wax-hardness/707985 "2014-12-24T12:09:51Z")
Years ago I tried my hand at candle making- got a dipping vat, molds, the whole nine yards. I was primarily interested in making pillar candles 2-3 inches diameter. But I lost interest because I got discouraged at the in… --- ## [When you see someone you already know on an online dating site](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-you-see-someone-you-already-know-on-an-online-dating-site/707808)
**Author:** [@Lemmytheseal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lemmytheseal2)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2014, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-you-see-someone-you-already-know-on-an-online-dating-site/707808 "2014-12-24T03:52:21Z")
Over the past few years, I’ve tried online dating off and on, with no success. I usually can’t get a date, but my question here is about the phenomenon of seeing someone on the site whom you already know. This has happen… --- ## [Recommendations for an iPad internet filter/reporter?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommendations-for-an-ipad-internet-filter-reporter/708077)
**Author:** [@Cardinal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardinal)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2014, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommendations-for-an-ipad-internet-filter-reporter/708077 "2014-12-24T03:16:41Z")
Anyone got a good experience with one, and want to help out? --- ## ["Jews control Hollwood" called BS, but Sony email hacks seem to show they are the main deal makers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jews-control-hollwood-called-bs-but-sony-email-hacks-seem-to-show-they-are-the-main-deal-makers/707553)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2014, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jews-control-hollwood-called-bs-but-sony-email-hacks-seem-to-show-they-are-the-main-deal-makers/707553 "2014-12-24T01:40:02Z")
Last year Seth McFarlane was roundly criticized for a throw away Oscar’s joke where a teddy bear character “Ted” claimed “Jews control Hollywood”. Oscars 2013: Seth MacFarlane’s ‘Jews Control Hollywood’ joke outrages wa… --- ## [IPad Air vs Other IPad Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipad-air-vs-other-ipad-questions/707993)
**Author:** [@Pauly01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pauly01)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2014, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ipad-air-vs-other-ipad-questions/707993 "2014-12-23T23:33:19Z")
Thinking about getting an ipad air. First off, i see theres few generations of ipad and theres only ipad air and ipad air 2. I know back then when first ipad came out, i heard about it but never cared for it. I also s… --- ## [I Have a Cold. Medications?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-cold-medications/707584)
**Author:** [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2014, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-cold-medications/707584 "2014-12-23T21:00:16Z")
Well, I have a cold/upper respiratory thing (Merry Christmas, dammit!) and now face a week to 10 days of symptoms. Yay me. Anyhow - what do you feel is the most effective non-sedating treatment? Usually, I take pseudo… --- ## [Running and knees](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/running-and-knees/707732)
**Author:** [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2014, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/running-and-knees/707732 "2014-12-23T19:24:21Z")
Unabashedly asking for medical advice here. In an effort to become a bit less of a fat bastard and stick around to see my grandkids someday, I’ve been working in regular exercise to my routine for a while know. I’ve be… --- ## [Is my anhedonia hopeless?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-my-anhedonia-hopeless/707809)
**Author:** [@Lemmytheseal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lemmytheseal2)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2014, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-my-anhedonia-hopeless/707809 "2014-12-23T18:40:39Z")
I’ve started wondering recently if I really like or enjoy anything anymore. I acknowledge that I’m in a bad state right now, what with possibly losing (for no good reason) one of my only friends, and my parents’ divorce … --- ## [Ever had a serial interrupter as a boss? How did it affect your performance?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-had-a-serial-interrupter-as-a-boss-how-did-it-affect-your-performance/707702)
**Author:** [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2014, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-had-a-serial-interrupter-as-a-boss-how-did-it-affect-your-performance/707702 "2014-12-23T16:00:55Z")
I manage an inside sales call center. The account execs who work for me make and receive (ideally more of the latter) calls to businesses that (a) have an account with our company (instead of using us on a one-off basis)… --- ## [Am I the only guy who's never put anything in his back pants pocket?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-guy-whos-never-put-anything-in-his-back-pants-pocket/707815)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2014, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-guy-whos-never-put-anything-in-his-back-pants-pocket/707815 "2014-12-23T15:19:29Z")
At least by my memory? I was perusing a thread about the difference between a wallet and a billfold, and all the mentions of keeping stuff in the back pocket made me think of this. --- ## [What to consider when packing shopping bags?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-consider-when-packing-shopping-bags/707387)
**Author:** [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2014, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-consider-when-packing-shopping-bags/707387 "2014-12-23T13:19:13Z")
Doing my shopping, I got to thinking about a mathematical model of efficiently packing shopping (grocery) bags. Aside from just trying to fill the volume, and therefore use few bags, ISTM there are also the following con… --- ## [Is anyone here a cardiologist, I've got some questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-anyone-here-a-cardiologist-ive-got-some-questions/707859)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2014, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-anyone-here-a-cardiologist-ive-got-some-questions/707859 "2014-12-23T12:39:05Z")
I’m reasonably young as far as heart disease go, but it runs in my genetic line so I’ve got something of a fatalistic attitude about it. I am wondering what I can do to diagnose the problem as it happens and stay on top … --- ## [Suggestions for a game](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-a-game/707945)
**Author:** [@BrassyPhrase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrassyPhrase)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2014, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-a-game/707945 "2014-12-23T04:34:19Z")
My mother has decided that on Christmas we will play ‘Minute to Win it’ for little presents. Unfortunately, she’s been travelling for family stuff and hasn’t been able to come up with very many events. One she was tell… --- ## [Home inheritence question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-inheritence-question/707564)
**Author:** [@Henryunderborn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Henryunderborn)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2014, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-inheritence-question/707564 "2014-12-23T02:07:03Z")
If my parents left me their house when they died, with a mortgage still on the house, and I have been found to have unsatisfactory credit, where I can’t get my own mortgage; what sort of complications / restrictions woul… --- ## [Life Altering Injuries](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-altering-injuries/690743)
**Author:** [@minlokwat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minlokwat)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2014, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-altering-injuries/690743 "2014-12-23T01:54:48Z")
I blew out my right knee yesterday. I’m three years away from 50 and I’m playing basketball with some high school kids. I decide to go strong to the hole. I plant my right foot hard, my upper body went right, my knee b… --- ## [Answering the door while armed](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/answering-the-door-while-armed/707544)
**Author:** [@InfiniteJest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InfiniteJest)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2014, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/answering-the-door-while-armed/707544 "2014-12-22T22:27:57Z")
What would happen if I answered the door with Sig in my left hand and there was a door-to-door marketer outside? A cop? --- ## [Has anyone seen Sanjay Gupta's series on marijuana?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-seen-sanjay-guptas-series-on-marijuana/707807)
**Author:** [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2014, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-seen-sanjay-guptas-series-on-marijuana/707807 "2014-12-22T22:15:18Z")
I’m watching it now on CNN, and I’ll tell you, marijuana has proven medicinal properties that I had no idea about. I’m sold. I’m now convinced that marijuana has properties to treat a number of ailments. To me, this i… --- ## [Gym rats/bodybuilders: Why do I get dizzy on leg day?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gym-rats-bodybuilders-why-do-i-get-dizzy-on-leg-day/707883)
**Author:** [@Lasciel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lasciel)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2014, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gym-rats-bodybuilders-why-do-i-get-dizzy-on-leg-day/707883 "2014-12-22T22:08:05Z")
Started doing workouts with a trainer twice a week, and on leg days, we do leg extensions, leg curls, then leg press. I won’t say the weights because they are embarassingly low, but I am working right at my limit for al… --- ## [Why don't they release the names of the theaters (Sony/The Interview)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-they-release-the-names-of-the-theaters-sony-the-interview/707926)
**Author:** [@excavating\_for\_a\_mind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/excavating_for_a_mind)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2014, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-they-release-the-names-of-the-theaters-sony-the-interview/707926 "2014-12-22T21:55:39Z")
President Obama says that Sony made a mistake by pulling the move “The Interview” from theaters. Sony says they had no choice, that the “several theater owners refused to show it”. Why doesn’t Sony say which owners? I… --- ## [Anyone flown Transaero Air before?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-flown-transaero-air-before/707908)
**Author:** [@Shinna\_Minna\_Ma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shinna_Minna_Ma)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2014, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-flown-transaero-air-before/707908 "2014-12-22T20:27:39Z")
Anyone flown Transaero Air before? Experiences, good or bad? Opinion? Sorta need answers fast, have a great deal pending, but I want to know more before I commit. --- ## [Transitioning from e-cig to nicotine gum](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transitioning-from-e-cig-to-nicotine-gum/707920)
**Author:** [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2014, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transitioning-from-e-cig-to-nicotine-gum/707920 "2014-12-22T20:27:35Z")
I started using an e-cig back in January 2013, the same day I quit cigarettes. And yay, I’m finally ready to get rid of this thing. I’d like to try nicotine gum. I’m wondering where to find it the cheapest? Is it Amazon … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=977) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/in-my-humble-opinion/14.md?page=979)