# Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/miscellaneous-and-personal-stuff-i-must-share/10.md?page=1207 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1208 --- ## [Anyone else ending the year with less in 401K than when year began?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-ending-the-year-with-less-in-401k-than-when-year-began/604127)
**Author:** [@Quintas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quintas)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2011, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-ending-the-year-with-less-in-401k-than-when-year-began/604127 "2011-11-26T12:05:37Z")
I am. Including the 4% employer match, around $400 per month is contributed to my 401K. My 401K is worth less right now than it was on Jan 1. Thats less even after contributing $4000+ dollars over the year. (I know, … --- ## [Tell me your best "They said (s)he'd never walk again and now (s)he does gymnastics!" story...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-your-best-they-said-s-hed-never-walk-again-and-now-s-he-does-gymnastics-story/603920)
**Author:** [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2011, 10:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-your-best-they-said-s-hed-never-walk-again-and-now-s-he-does-gymnastics-story/603920 "2011-11-26T10:47:47Z")
Some friends of mine have two beautiful, fit, athletic, active thrill-seeking sons. In the way of fit, athletic, active, thrill-seeking boys throughout time and the world, one of them now finds himself in a hospital bed… --- ## [Polish terms of endearment suggestions please...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polish-terms-of-endearment-suggestions-please/602771)
**Author:** [@dada2fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dada2fish)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2011, 6:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polish-terms-of-endearment-suggestions-please/602771 "2011-11-26T06:33:57Z")
I have a 20 month old son and I’d like to come up with special pet name for him. Since I am 100% Polish I thought it would be even more special if the name was Polish. In looking for suggestions online, I found mostly ro… --- ## [ER's get busy on holidays and code blue](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ers-get-busy-on-holidays-and-code-blue/604121)
**Author:** [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2011, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ers-get-busy-on-holidays-and-code-blue/604121 "2011-11-26T05:16:47Z")
Since I was in the ER yesterday, I took the chance to entertain myself by asking questions and watching the process. This afternoon, as I was being escorted to the pharmacy, the technician said they had “3 Code Blues” a… --- ## [I have a commercial on network TV!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-commercial-on-network-tv/603533)
**Author:** [@Chef\_Troy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chef_Troy)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2011, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-commercial-on-network-tv/603533 "2011-11-26T04:16:32Z")
Just wanted to brag a bit. My local ABC affiliate here in Dallas has a new anchor on its early morning news show, and they’ve really been pulling out all the stops promoting him – I’ve seen billboards, bus ads, magazine … --- ## [Do humans have a native internal voice synthesizer?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-humans-have-a-native-internal-voice-synthesizer/603729)
**Author:** [@brujaja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brujaja)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2011, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-humans-have-a-native-internal-voice-synthesizer/603729 "2011-11-26T04:15:12Z")
I’m posting in MPSIMS because it’s possible that there is no factual answer for this. In fact there’s a good possibility that it will end up getting all philosophical. I have written yet another Cthulhu carol to send m… --- ## [A personal experience of American racism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-personal-experience-of-american-racism/604081)
**Author:** [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2011, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-personal-experience-of-american-racism/604081 "2011-11-26T02:24:46Z")
Longer-time members may recall that I was significantly ignorant about the state of racism in America when I joined the Dope. When I started my current job, I had a colleague who had grown up and spent much of his life … --- ## [Adorable Talking Myna Bird](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adorable-talking-myna-bird/603542)
**Author:** [@BeaMyra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeaMyra)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2011, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adorable-talking-myna-bird/603542 "2011-11-26T01:53:22Z")
I couldn’t believe when I saw how well this Hill Myna can talk. This is from You Tube and it’s the same lady and same Myna in each video. I have never heard a bird talk so well and clear. Myna Thinks It’s Other Birds … --- ## [Update: So I Just Got Molested By A Family Member](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/update-so-i-just-got-molested-by-a-family-member/603940)
**Author:** [@Alice\_The\_Goon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alice_The_Goon)\ **Replies:** 87\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2011, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/update-so-i-just-got-molested-by-a-family-member/603940 "2011-11-26T01:43:26Z")
In this thread of a little over a year ago, I chronicled how my aunt’s elderly husband had sexually assaulted me, the first time that he was ever alone with me since I’d known him. I got a lot of excellent advice in tha… --- ## [I got the zombie flu](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-the-zombie-flu/603711)
**Author:** [@Enola\_Straight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Straight)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2011, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-the-zombie-flu/603711 "2011-11-26T00:42:40Z")
Right now is the first time since friday I’ve been capable of putting together a coherent thought online. My throat hurts because of tonsilitis with exudate http://www.pennmedicine.org/images/ency/fullsize/2936.jpg my… --- ## [Google Wave - Rest in Peace](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-wave-rest-in-peace/604009)
**Author:** [@Onomatopoeia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Onomatopoeia)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2011, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-wave-rest-in-peace/604009 "2011-11-25T19:27:59Z")
I just received the email below from Google. I played around with Google Wave a few times after signing up, but it never felt completely baked to me. It is kind of sad to see it go though. --- ## [Cool spider pictures.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cool-spider-pictures/603640)
**Author:** [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2011, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cool-spider-pictures/603640 "2011-11-25T18:32:29Z")
Pictures Of Spiders Below First, the image that started this spree, a spider with babies. Lots and lots of babies. I have absolutely no idea what kind of spider that is, other than ‘reproductively successful’. It does l… --- ## [Weird realization: I've never had a CFL burn out.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-realization-ive-never-had-a-cfl-burn-out/603959)
**Author:** [@GameHat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GameHat)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2011, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-realization-ive-never-had-a-cfl-burn-out/603959 "2011-11-25T16:21:48Z")
No great debates about CFLs vs incandescents, please. I just haven’t got the energy. :wink: But it just struck me - I bought my first CFL back in 2005, when I moved to Illinois. I brought a few shitty fixtures to my … --- ## [2011 - my annus horribilis](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2011-my-annus-horribilis/603770)
**Author:** [@codgerone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/codgerone)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2011, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2011-my-annus-horribilis/603770 "2011-11-25T13:25:38Z")
So this year\* has been pretty crappy and I’d nominate it for my Annus Horribilis. A good friend and mentor died in October. Split from long term partner also in October. Found out today that a long term high risk/high… --- ## [Macy's-SF SPCA Holiday Pet Windows](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/macys-sf-spca-holiday-pet-windows/603573)
**Author:** [@Foggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Foggy)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2011, 9:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/macys-sf-spca-holiday-pet-windows/603573 "2011-11-25T09:21:39Z")
From the SF SPCA website: This is the 25th year of this program (not always with Macy’s). This LINK takes you to the first of 6 cameras streaming video of the pets, the other cameras are linked on that page. Hours are… --- ## [Where Could Someone Purchase a Large Amount of Twinkies in Vegas?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-could-someone-purchase-a-large-amount-of-twinkies-in-vegas/603831)
**Author:** [@thursday\_next](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thursday_next)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2011, 9:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-could-someone-purchase-a-large-amount-of-twinkies-in-vegas/603831 "2011-11-25T09:12:49Z")
So this is really more of a Mundane Pointless Stuff I Must Ask, but as the title goes: where could one purchase about 70-80 Twinkies (the tasty snack food) in Las Vegas if they were staying at a hotel on the strip and di… --- ## [Ask the father who was abused as a child](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-father-who-was-abused-as-a-child/601958)
**Author:** [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2011, 8:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-father-who-was-abused-as-a-child/601958 "2011-11-25T08:46:40Z")
So there are a number of threads about the judge, the belt and his daughter, and if people were hit or abused. A number of posters have related that they were abused a children. Some say that they decided not to have ch… --- ## [Smoke alarms & carbon monoxide detectors & peaceful coexistence](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smoke-alarms-carbon-monoxide-detectors-peaceful-coexistence/603984)
**Author:** [@vivalostwages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vivalostwages)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2011, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smoke-alarms-carbon-monoxide-detectors-peaceful-coexistence/603984 "2011-11-25T05:44:12Z")
Well, this was a new one for me. A few months ago, I put a carbon monoxide detector on a stand in the living room. I already had a smoke alarm on the hallway ceiling, just a few feet away. Several days ago, the smoke … --- ## [Etiquette for going to the neighbors' for Thanksgiving?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/etiquette-for-going-to-the-neighbors-for-thanksgiving/603928)
**Author:** [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2011, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/etiquette-for-going-to-the-neighbors-for-thanksgiving/603928 "2011-11-25T02:34:50Z")
We’ve been invited to our next-door neighbors’ for Thanksgiving this year. The wife next door is a nurse at the hospital that my husband is a resident at, which is how we know them. We’ve socialized some over the last ye… --- ## [RIP Lynn Margulis (1938 - 2011)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-lynn-margulis-1938-2011/603966)
**Author:** [@mozchron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mozchron)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2011, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-lynn-margulis-1938-2011/603966 "2011-11-24T18:45:48Z")
Dead at age 73. A scientific giant has passed. Yes, she became a bit quacky in her later years, but her ideas changed how we think about he evolution of eukaryotic life on earth. Her theory indirectly promulgated one o… --- ## [A Remarkable Dream!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-remarkable-dream/603991)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2011, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-remarkable-dream/603991 "2011-11-24T18:31:11Z")
Five days ago, I went to the local library. While looking around, I went to see if there was anything new in the tape/DVD section. I happened to look down, and noticed a copy of that 1970’s movie “Breaking Away”. I reme… --- ## [Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-thanksgiving-everyone/603905)
**Author:** [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2011, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-thanksgiving-everyone/603905 "2011-11-24T17:40:26Z")
Before you head out for the big day, think about the pros and cons of being an adult at Thanksgiving dinner. --- ## [Well, I hope you're proud of yourself.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-i-hope-youre-proud-of-yourself/603430)
**Author:** [@voguevixen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voguevixen)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2011, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-i-hope-youre-proud-of-yourself/603430 "2011-11-24T15:08:26Z")
In this instance I am, and am curious to hear any similar experiences from my fellow Dopers. Like many people who have to take a daily medication(s), I will frequently absently take it (or not take it) and then spend t… --- ## [Help wean me off WebMD and other medical sites](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-wean-me-off-webmd-and-other-medical-sites/603865)
**Author:** [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2011, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-wean-me-off-webmd-and-other-medical-sites/603865 "2011-11-24T12:29:33Z")
Since I have had recurrent bouts of ill health since May, I have been become addicted to WebMD had other medical sites. With a result that some of the afflictions that I am suffering from are, heart attacks(sometimes twi… --- ## [Vodka tampons and butt-chugging](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vodka-tampons-and-butt-chugging/602653)
**Author:** [@Alice\_The\_Goon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alice_The_Goon)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2011, 7:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vodka-tampons-and-butt-chugging/602653 "2011-11-24T07:53:34Z")
So apparently the new things that are all the rage among the kids today are tampons soaked in vodka for girls and inserting alcohol into your rectum with a tube if you’re a guy. :dubious: I have 3 boys under 21- they’r… --- ## [Google celebrates Stanislaw Lem](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-celebrates-stanislaw-lem/603856)
**Author:** [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2011, 6:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-celebrates-stanislaw-lem/603856 "2011-11-24T06:05:17Z")
An animation of a robot, leading to several mini games. Is this the most complex Google logo ever? I’ve not read much of his work, can someone explain the references? I presume there’s more to it than the assumption th… --- ## [Google "askew."](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-askew/603863)
**Author:** [@chiroptera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chiroptera)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2011, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-askew/603863 "2011-11-24T00:25:23Z")
That’s it. Type the word “askew” (or “tilt”) into google, hit enter and see what happens. Related article about google tricks: --- ## [Ask the guy who holds humanity in contempt](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-holds-humanity-in-contempt/603748)
**Author:** [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2011, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-holds-humanity-in-contempt/603748 "2011-11-24T00:23:52Z")
Fie to you! --- ## [Incredible video montage from the ISS](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredible-video-montage-from-the-iss/602933)
**Author:** [@Bumbershoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bumbershoot)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [November 23, 2011, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incredible-video-montage-from-the-iss/602933 "2011-11-23T22:43:05Z")
Some spectacular Aurora footage; the lightning flashes are pretty amazing too. --- ## [Meet My New Grand-dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meet-my-new-grand-dog/602099)
**Author:** [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [November 23, 2011, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meet-my-new-grand-dog/602099 "2011-11-23T22:14:34Z")
It appears I now have a dog. Originally my son’s, but at 55 lbs. he is over twice as big as he is allowed to be and remain where he was. His name is Leet, or upside down 7331 or whatever the computer term is. I am a v… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/miscellaneous-and-personal-stuff-i-must-share/10.md?page=1206) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/miscellaneous-and-personal-stuff-i-must-share/10.md?page=1208)