# Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/miscellaneous-and-personal-stuff-i-must-share/10.md?page=127 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 128 --- ## [Peter Zeihan](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peter-zeihan/995187)
**Author:** [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2023, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peter-zeihan/995187 "2023-12-26T19:18:33Z")
So about a year ago, I started seeing this guy everywhere. He’s apparently some geopolitical expert. I enjoy his videos. But I question the certainty with which he makes his claims. For instance, he has a number of v… --- ## [And a Merry Mari Lwyd to you!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-a-merry-mari-lwyd-to-you/995080)
**Author:** [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2023, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-a-merry-mari-lwyd-to-you/995080 "2023-12-25T21:10:54Z")
The Welsh have a holiday tradition from way back in pagan times, a midwinter celebration of wit, banter, poetry slam, and of course feasting and drinking. Folks stick a horse skull up on a pole, decorate it with ribbons… --- ## [Happy Festivus 2023!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-festivus-2023/995044)
**Author:** [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2023, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-festivus-2023/995044 "2023-12-25T17:47:47Z")
It’s December 23, which means it’s time for the made up holiday that scratches us right where we itch. This thread is a place to share your grievances, recount the blessed story of the first Festivus, let us know of any… --- ## [(Old) Winter Solstice MMP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-winter-solstice-mmp/994757)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 276\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2023, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-winter-solstice-mmp/994757 "2023-12-25T04:30:38Z")
Well, it’s not Winter Solstice yet, but it’s this week. It’s 21:20 here on the Left Coast, but it’s 00:20 on the east; so I guess this is the MMP. One thing about SoCal was that Winter wasn’t very wintery. Thinking of… --- ## [Alterna-Thanksgiving: Bosda Di'Chi's Irish Stew Recipe From Hell Deluxe.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alterna-thanksgiving-bosda-dichis-irish-stew-recipe-from-hell-deluxe/381460)
**Author:** [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2023, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alterna-thanksgiving-bosda-dichis-irish-stew-recipe-from-hell-deluxe/381460 "2023-12-25T00:03:53Z")
\*\*This Post Inspired by Jonathan Swift’s " A Modest Proposal". Therefore, it’s Literary. So there! And BTW: I’m of Irish Descent Myself.\*\* I’m making Bosda’s Irish Stew Deluxe for dinner tonight. If you want some, pay… --- ## [It's a LONE holiday](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-lone-holiday/995032)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2023, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-lone-holiday/995032 "2023-12-24T20:20:14Z")
My Asian wife bought some cute little Xmas trees , each atop a wrapped present. On each box is a single letter. She has been decorating the living room and asked me, “What does L,O, N, E mean?” --- ## [Bad bad bad- Against my better judgement](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-bad-bad-against-my-better-judgement/995017)
**Author:** [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2023, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-bad-bad-against-my-better-judgement/995017 "2023-12-24T20:15:18Z")
After my dialysis Ivy insisted we go to Walmart. I said “No no no, we really don’t wanna do that.” But she kept on. It’ll be fun, she said. You’ll like it, she said. I knew better. I had trepidation in my little non-j… --- ## [What kind of junk food do you have access to right now?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-junk-food-do-you-have-access-to-right-now/994621)
**Author:** [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2023, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-junk-food-do-you-have-access-to-right-now/994621 "2023-12-24T17:01:44Z")
Define junk any way you like. I have Kraft Mac & Cheese (probably expired since I never get a chance to eat it). A box of assorted Ferrero Rocher someone gave us for Christmas. Half a bag of tortilla chips left over fr… --- ## [After School Satan Clubs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/after-school-satan-clubs/761416)
**Author:** [@brujaja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brujaja)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2023, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/after-school-satan-clubs/761416 "2023-12-24T16:26:31Z")
Forgive me if someone has already posted about this – I can’t get the SDMB search function to work. As I understand it, a court decision has recently enabled a hardcore fire and brimstone type of Christian group to star… --- ## [My neighbourhood pub has finally recovered from covid](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbourhood-pub-has-finally-recovered-from-covid/995060)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2023, 11:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbourhood-pub-has-finally-recovered-from-covid/995060 "2023-12-24T11:49:50Z")
It’s an Irish-themed pub. Took a hit from Covid. But I’m sitting here having lunch and the place is packed. The Saturday session musicians are back! There’s step-dancers, specially for Christmas Eve-Eve. The crowd is cla… --- ## [My epiphany about eating and weight loss (pretty long)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-epiphany-about-eating-and-weight-loss-pretty-long/994596)
**Author:** [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2023, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-epiphany-about-eating-and-weight-loss-pretty-long/994596 "2023-12-23T22:25:41Z")
About a year ago, my A1C rose from pre-diabetic, usually around 6.0 to 6.2, to diabetic at 6.6. This, combined with a previous episode of atrial flutter (which was corrected) jolted me into the realization that I could n… --- ## [Ack! My fingers!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ack-my-fingers/994938)
**Author:** [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2023, 6:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ack-my-fingers/994938 "2023-12-23T06:50:31Z")
TL; DR: I lost a fingernail because I am Gen-X. Friendly warning for anyone who might use a hand mixer: Attach the beaters first. Then plug it in. A few nights ago, I was making Christmas cookies and needed the hand mix… --- ## [I have way too much cat hair in my nose](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-way-too-much-cat-hair-in-my-nose/410763)
**Author:** [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2023, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-way-too-much-cat-hair-in-my-nose/410763 "2023-12-22T14:31:35Z")
After about 34 years of being totally cat free, I have now acquired two of the beasties. They are delightful (well, except for the 3:00 am cat fights that wake me up). However, I have a LARGE amount of cat hair in my no… --- ## [Purpose of a thing in airport passenger boarding bridges](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/purpose-of-a-thing-in-airport-passenger-boarding-bridges/994958)
**Author:** [@Hatchie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hatchie)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2023, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/purpose-of-a-thing-in-airport-passenger-boarding-bridges/994958 "2023-12-22T05:36:30Z")
My sister, who takes flights a few times a year within the US, wondered about this. In the boarding tunnel that extends from the gate to the plane, there is (or used to be) what she describes as a stand of some sort topp… --- ## [RIP Gregory Golodoff](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-gregory-golodoff/994956)
**Author:** [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2023, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-gregory-golodoff/994956 "2023-12-22T02:03:05Z")
Who is that, you ask? Mr. Golodoff was the last surviving Alaskan out of 41 who were captured by the Japanese in WWII on the Aleutian island of Attu. When the Japanese invaded Attu, they killed the one person who could h… --- ## [How does TSA screening work at VERY small airports?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-tsa-screening-work-at-very-small-airports/984976)
**Author:** [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2023, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-tsa-screening-work-at-very-small-airports/984976 "2023-12-22T00:36:02Z")
This October, I’m gonna be taking a short trip to Yakima, WA for an indy wrestling show. Since I don’t own a car and don’t want to deal with rentals, I decided to fly there and make a 2-night stay out of it. Yakima’s aip… --- ## [I'd like to buy someone a pair of Enchroma glasses.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-like-to-buy-someone-a-pair-of-enchroma-glasses/822018)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 112\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2023, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-like-to-buy-someone-a-pair-of-enchroma-glasses/822018 "2023-12-22T00:24:53Z")
This post has prior mod approval. The SDMB is in no way responsible for any of this. I’m not ashamed (not much anyways) to admit that watching the Enchroma glasses videos usually hit me right in the feels and I’d like … --- ## [A tiny critter helps solve a big geologic question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-tiny-critter-helps-solve-a-big-geologic-question/994963)
**Author:** [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2023, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-tiny-critter-helps-solve-a-big-geologic-question/994963 "2023-12-22T00:10:33Z")
A tiny octopus; a big question; DNA ties them together. Quote of the first two paragraphs: " A study of octopus DNA may have solved an enduring mystery about when the rapidly melting West Antarctic ice sheet last colla… --- ## [Baby, it's cold outside!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baby-its-cold-outside/994908)
**Author:** [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2023, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baby-its-cold-outside/994908 "2023-12-21T21:24:37Z")
I’m 12 yo. Alone in the woods. I find a lonely, dry, cozy cabin. Inside is a wood stove. Dry wood. (A few other things around) How do I start a fire?Seriously. Tell me how to do it. --- ## [Hyperloop One test scheduled for today.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hyperloop-one-test-scheduled-for-today/754554)
**Author:** [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2023, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hyperloop-one-test-scheduled-for-today/754554 "2023-12-21T20:49:31Z")
I had no idea that this had gotten as far as building a test track. Here’s their website: https://hyperloop-one.com/ --- ## [Share your favorite Christmas jokes!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/share-your-favorite-christmas-jokes/994842)
**Author:** [@Hurrilon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hurrilon)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2023, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/share-your-favorite-christmas-jokes/994842 "2023-12-21T20:21:54Z")
Santa Claus, like all pilots, gets regular visits from the Federal Aviation Administration, and it was shortly before Christmas when the FAA examiner arrived. In preparation, Santa had the elves wash the sled and bathe … --- ## [A brilliant bit of writing on CNN](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-brilliant-bit-of-writing-on-cnn/994880)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2023, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-brilliant-bit-of-writing-on-cnn/994880 "2023-12-21T14:28:04Z")
This opinion piece on CNN about the recent scandal regarding a sex video recorded in a US Senate hearing room is a genius piece of work, both serious and loaded with comical double-entendres: https://www.cnn.com/2023/12… --- ## [Pope approves blessings for same-sex couples if they don't resemble marriage](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pope-approves-blessings-for-same-sex-couples-if-they-dont-resemble-marriage/994780)
**Author:** [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2023, 6:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pope-approves-blessings-for-same-sex-couples-if-they-dont-resemble-marriage/994780 "2023-12-21T06:27:11Z")
A big change. --- ## [There's a newly erupting volcano in Iceland](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theres-a-newly-erupting-volcano-in-iceland/994795)
**Author:** [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2023, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theres-a-newly-erupting-volcano-in-iceland/994795 "2023-12-21T00:00:50Z")
It’s the one outside Grindavik, a town in the southwestern portion of the country that was evacuated recently due to an earthquake storm, which led to scientists concluding that this is coming. There are several YouTube… --- ## [Singapore stereotypes -- unfounded](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/singapore-stereotypes-unfounded/994754)
**Author:** [@Spiff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiff)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2023, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/singapore-stereotypes-unfounded/994754 "2023-12-20T20:40:48Z")
I’m in Singapore right now, in the middle of a 3-day stay. I researched quite a bit beforehand including speaking with a friend who was just here a month ago. I took all the precautions including not bringing in any pro… --- ## [Voyaging by hamster wheel](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voyaging-by-hamster-wheel/989711)
**Author:** [@3AxisCtrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/3AxisCtrl)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2023, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voyaging-by-hamster-wheel/989711 "2023-12-20T19:41:59Z")
A headline you don’t see every day: Florida man arrested by Coast Guard for trying to cross Atlantic in human-sized hamster wheel --- ## [December 2023 New England power outages - who's with me!?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/december-2023-new-england-power-outages-whos-with-me/994830)
**Author:** [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2023, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/december-2023-new-england-power-outages-whos-with-me/994830 "2023-12-20T16:55:23Z")
There are more than 600,000 people in New England still without power, though that number is pretty far down from where it was. We are one of those households, though after first saying in 2011 that I was going to get a… --- ## [Christmas Nostalgia -- Escalating Nativity Scenes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-nostalgia-escalating-nativity-scenes/994879)
**Author:** [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2023, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-nostalgia-escalating-nativity-scenes/994879 "2023-12-20T15:43:57Z")
Now that Christmas is almost upon us (and I have finished my shopping, wrapping, Christmas Card sending, and cookie baking), I have time to reflect on the long-ago Christmases of my parochial school youth. One thing I r… --- ## [What's Taters, precious? Taters is the laser cat from space](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-taters-precious-taters-is-the-laser-cat-from-space/994827)
**Author:** [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2023, 10:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-taters-precious-taters-is-the-laser-cat-from-space/994827 "2023-12-20T10:53:33Z")
Scientists at JPL claim to be testing a new laser-based interplanetary communications system using near-infrared lasers. They say it offers bandwidth ten to a hundred times existing radio-based communications. The ultra-… --- ## [Wolves are being reintroduced to Colorado](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wolves-are-being-reintroduced-to-colorado/994824)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2023, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wolves-are-being-reintroduced-to-colorado/994824 "2023-12-20T00:37:40Z")
I’ve visited a couple of wolf sanctuaries, and although it’s a far cry from seeing one in the wild, it was an amazing (and slightly frightening experience). Sitting around a fire pit, with a full moon and howls going up … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/miscellaneous-and-personal-stuff-i-must-share/10.md?page=126) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/miscellaneous-and-personal-stuff-i-must-share/10.md?page=128)