# Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/miscellaneous-and-personal-stuff-i-must-share/10.md?page=1220 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1221 --- ## [My family, one year after](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-family-one-year-after/600921)
**Author:** [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2011, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-family-one-year-after/600921 "2011-10-29T00:44:14Z")
Here we are again. I’m not sure what I want to say exactly, but on Saturday it’ll be a year since my brother Tyler died. The last couple of weeks in particular have been tough. We got back from a wonderful vacation where… --- ## [peace in the OWS threatened by pro-Palestinian African American lesbian amidst new cycle of drumming](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peace-in-the-ows-threatened-by-pro-palestinian-african-american-lesbian-amidst-new-cycle-of-drumming/601131)
**Author:** [@code\_grey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/code_grey)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2011, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peace-in-the-ows-threatened-by-pro-palestinian-african-american-lesbian-amidst-new-cycle-of-drumming/601131 "2011-10-28T23:55:36Z")
I have really enjoyed Megan McArdle’s Occupy Wall Street vs. the Drum Circle article, and here is a tidbit that I think ought to go down in history: --- ## [Thoughts on mail order brides?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-on-mail-order-brides/600893)
**Author:** [@suckthesevols98](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suckthesevols98)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2011, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-on-mail-order-brides/600893 "2011-10-28T22:44:59Z")
So I buy her a plane ticket and in return have a slave? Where do I sign up? --- ## [DC Dopers: cool opportunity this Sat.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dc-dopers-cool-opportunity-this-sat/601072)
**Author:** [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2011, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dc-dopers-cool-opportunity-this-sat/601072 "2011-10-28T21:04:12Z")
Just wanted to let anyone in the DC area know that the McMillian sand filtration site is open to the public this Saturday from 11-3. I’ve always wanted to walk around in there. Here’s the link: --- ## [Figured out some random Presidential trivia today](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/figured-out-some-random-presidential-trivia-today/601098)
**Author:** [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2011, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/figured-out-some-random-presidential-trivia-today/601098 "2011-10-28T20:49:52Z")
Every President since Andrew Johnson has been alive at the same time as Herbert Hoover. Why Hoover? Long living President who was born after independence, and been dead an appreciable amount of time. --- ## [Is there any state with a weirder ballot than New York?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-state-with-a-weirder-ballot-than-new-york/601114)
**Author:** [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2011, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-state-with-a-weirder-ballot-than-new-york/601114 "2011-10-28T19:56:58Z")
Too pointless for the election board, I think. New York probably has the most complicated election ballot in the US. You vote for the candidate, not the party, so a person can run on multiple election lines and all the… --- ## [Phone Plan "Secret"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phone-plan-secret/601108)
**Author:** [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2011, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phone-plan-secret/601108 "2011-10-28T19:47:20Z")
I have had my T-Mobile phone family plan for several years now, and about two or three years ago, changed up to a family (my SO and I) plan to 700 minutes talk time. As my SO talks quite a bit with his family in Germany… --- ## [Wait, what? Superconductivity at 20C?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-what-superconductivity-at-20c/600801)
**Author:** [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2011, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-what-superconductivity-at-20c/600801 "2011-10-28T18:59:53Z")
A group claims to have done it, and has released a description of the work, saying that it was too important to restrict. Seems more on the up-and-up than many… --- ## [Maybe I am subconsciously thinking about becoming a father](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maybe-i-am-subconsciously-thinking-about-becoming-a-father/601103)
**Author:** [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2011, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maybe-i-am-subconsciously-thinking-about-becoming-a-father/601103 "2011-10-28T18:41:10Z")
Or it was just a weird dream. I dreamt that I hired my friend Will to play Ben Franklin as if he were transported to the present, and I had the best time pretending to teach him all our modern society has to offer. May… --- ## [7 Billion and Counting](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-billion-and-counting/601057)
**Author:** [@Alka\_Seltzer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alka_Seltzer)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2011, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-billion-and-counting/601057 "2011-10-28T17:49:08Z")
In case you’ve missed it in the news, the world’s population is expected to reach 7 billion in a few weeks time. This came as a bit of a shock to me, as I remembered the 6 billion landmark as being fairly recent (it was … --- ## [Thanks, Tripolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanks-tripolar/600420)
**Author:** [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2011, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanks-tripolar/600420 "2011-10-28T17:38:20Z")
Just wanted to express my appreciation to my new friend, who just spent the better part of an hour with me online fixing my bolding ability! He did a lot of stuff I didn’t understand, went deep into my system, (to the co… --- ## [What is WRONG With People??](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-wrong-with-people/600425)
**Author:** [@PapSett](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PapSett)\ **Replies:** 87\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2011, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-wrong-with-people/600425 "2011-10-28T17:29:02Z")
I work for a large cell phone company, in-bound call center (please do not mention any names because they regularly google the company name and I could be in big trouble!) and the last couple weeks have just been sheer m… --- ## [It's the era of downsizing - The largest nuke in the US arsenal is now only 1.2 megatons](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-the-era-of-downsizing-the-largest-nuke-in-the-us-arsenal-is-now-only-1-2-megatons/600965)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2011, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-the-era-of-downsizing-the-largest-nuke-in-the-us-arsenal-is-now-only-1-2-megatons/600965 "2011-10-28T16:46:09Z")
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45031536/ns/us\_news/ --- ## [I just wished 3 strangers a Merry Christmas...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-wished-3-strangers-a-merry-christmas/601035)
**Author:** [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2011, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-wished-3-strangers-a-merry-christmas/601035 "2011-10-28T16:13:48Z")
…all while wearing a heavy winter coat and wool cap. Less than three weeks ago, I was wishing people a happy summer, while wearing a bathing suit, tee, and sandals. From hot sun to snow in less than three weeks. The fu… --- ## [Are These Things Banned Today?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-things-banned-today/600959)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2011, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-things-banned-today/600959 "2011-10-28T04:56:43Z")
Recently, I went back to a little variety store near where I lived as a child. On the concrete pavement outside, I noticed those black stains-from dicarded lumps of parrafin wax. This came from things that were soild to… --- ## [Lions, tigers, bears loose in my hometown. Oh my.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lions-tigers-bears-loose-in-my-hometown-oh-my/600093)
**Author:** [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2011, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lions-tigers-bears-loose-in-my-hometown-oh-my/600093 "2011-10-28T02:47:36Z")
Not making this up. This is about 50 miles southeast of where I now live. My entire Facebook feed has been lighting up with people variously expressing disgust and/or hilarity at the situation. There are rumors that the… --- ## [Last Minute Philly Dopefest? (10/27)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/last-minute-philly-dopefest-10-27/600979)
**Author:** [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2011, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/last-minute-philly-dopefest-10-27/600979 "2011-10-27T23:55:08Z")
The Academy of Natural Sciences will be MST3King Eight-Legged Freaks tonight to promote their bug exhibit. Could be fun. Anyone wanna go? --- ## [...just noticed that Google has just gotten a little bit smarter...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-noticed-that-google-has-just-gotten-a-little-bit-smarter/600953)
**Author:** [@Banquet\_Bear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banquet_Bear)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2011, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-noticed-that-google-has-just-gotten-a-little-bit-smarter/600953 "2011-10-27T23:52:39Z")
…so for a long time you’ve been able to “ask google questions” like “convert 10 pounds to kilos” or “what is the answer to life the universe and everything” and google would spit out the right answer at the top of the sc… --- ## [Favorite Idioms](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-idioms/600497)
**Author:** [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2011, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-idioms/600497 "2011-10-27T23:06:36Z")
Inspired by the Most Hated Idioms thread, how about favorites? One I’ve always liked is: “Even a clock that doesn’t run is right twice a day.” --- ## [Worst lies you've heard.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-lies-youve-heard/600485)
**Author:** [@Filbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Filbert)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2011, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-lies-youve-heard/600485 "2011-10-27T23:04:53Z")
A few weeks back, my crazy ex-housemate sent a facebook message to my current housemate- who also lived in the old house- saying she’d ‘accidently’ opened a letter addressed to me, which turned out to be a tax rebate che… --- ## [Enforce the third amendment!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/enforce-the-third-amendment/600814)
**Author:** [@HubZilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HubZilla)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2011, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/enforce-the-third-amendment/600814 "2011-10-27T22:50:26Z")
(too mundane for the pit) Let me introduce you to my brother, an E-5 in the USAF. His wife is a stay-at-home mother of three (all under 6). Like us, they live in Hawaii. I live in suburban Honolulu, they live on Hickam … --- ## [The beginning of the end of quadriplegia?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-beginning-of-the-end-of-quadriplegia/600960)
**Author:** [@Aspidistra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspidistra)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2011, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-beginning-of-the-end-of-quadriplegia/600960 "2011-10-27T22:27:32Z")
Saw this link the other day - can’t now remember via what source, but I don’t think it’s been discussed here… Paralyzed man moves artificial arm by thinking Is this basically the start of a completel cure for paralysis… --- ## [Ask the SCA Noob](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-sca-noob/556838)
**Author:** [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2011, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-sca-noob/556838 "2011-10-27T18:21:54Z")
For anyone who does not know Basically, a giant ren fair catering to medeival combat reenactment. After a couple months of building my armor, and going to practice, I finally got to go to my first real event, Great W… --- ## [I think my daughter is going to get proposed to tonight...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-my-daughter-is-going-to-get-proposed-to-tonight/600484)
**Author:** [@BlinkingDuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlinkingDuck)\ **Replies:** 142\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2011, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-my-daughter-is-going-to-get-proposed-to-tonight/600484 "2011-10-27T15:04:09Z")
Very nervous and dressed up boyfriend in the living room…going to a fancy place. His mother demanded he get a haircut today. Somethings up :slight\_smile: My daughter, of course, is clueless. Or maybe its me… --- ## [Dopers! Evaluate these houses for me!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-evaluate-these-houses-for-me/599452)
**Author:** [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2011, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-evaluate-these-houses-for-me/599452 "2011-10-27T14:53:00Z")
I know, I know. We just bought this one a few months ago. But it’s a new home in a development and Lady Chance hates it. We’ve spent 20 years in old, sometimes very old, houses that are solid and quirky. This one isn… --- ## [Looking for an old thread (on police misconduct)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-an-old-thread-on-police-misconduct/600962)
**Author:** [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2011, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-an-old-thread-on-police-misconduct/600962 "2011-10-27T13:40:30Z")
No particular reason, and don’t need answer fast, but I’m trying to find an old thread about police misconduct. A search brings up a lot of hits. In this particular one, the OP found himself blocked in by a police car. … --- ## [Long preamble with a General Question at the end, please help!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/long-preamble-with-a-general-question-at-the-end-please-help/600950)
**Author:** [@brujaja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brujaja)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2011, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/long-preamble-with-a-general-question-at-the-end-please-help/600950 "2011-10-27T13:23:52Z")
Really this belongs in GQ, but I can’t do that because I’m going to insist on this long preamble. i found myself sitting just now, pounding my fist on the bed, saying, “Now, that’s a monster! No tentacles or fangs – … --- ## [If the human race had their emotions taken away](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-human-race-had-their-emotions-taken-away/599667)
**Author:** [@Nobody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nobody)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2011, 9:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-human-race-had-their-emotions-taken-away/599667 "2011-10-27T09:50:30Z")
First off, yes, this is truly dorky, and if you find it boring, I completely understand. In some science fiction shows there are races with no emotions. There are Vulcans in Star Trek and the Cybermen in Doctor who for… --- ## [Do people really still pierce infants ears ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-people-really-still-pierce-infants-ears/600345)
**Author:** [@Ibanez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ibanez)\ **Replies:** 93\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2011, 7:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-people-really-still-pierce-infants-ears/600345 "2011-10-27T07:14:08Z")
I usually stay out of the affairs of when it comes to raising other peoples kids. But I couldn’t help but throw in my 5 cents when my sister told me her in-laws (the grandma) was urging my sister to get my niece’s ears … --- ## [An Account of a Very Odd Monstrous Calf](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-account-of-a-very-odd-monstrous-calf/600949)
**Author:** [@kferr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kferr)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2011, 7:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-account-of-a-very-odd-monstrous-calf/600949 "2011-10-27T07:07:52Z")
This just one of the fantastic titles from the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society from 1665. The archive of all the transactions from 1665 onwards is available online here http://royalsocietypublishing.org/… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/miscellaneous-and-personal-stuff-i-must-share/10.md?page=1219) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/miscellaneous-and-personal-stuff-i-must-share/10.md?page=1221)