# Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/miscellaneous-and-personal-stuff-i-must-share/10.md?page=1274 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 1275 --- ## [I'm not getting smater. Just older, dammit!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-getting-smater-just-older-dammit/588409)
**Author:** [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [July 10, 2011, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-getting-smater-just-older-dammit/588409 "2011-07-10T15:03:18Z")
Playing trivia with a younger (25ish) group of friends at the bar the other night. The MC was throwing out some ridiculously easy questions out there. I was absolutely amazed that none of the friends in my group were ge… --- ## [Ask the kimono (and other Japanese stuff) girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-kimono-and-other-japanese-stuff-girl/587031)
**Author:** [@Silver\_Tyger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silver_Tyger)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [July 10, 2011, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-kimono-and-other-japanese-stuff-girl/587031 "2011-07-10T14:17:30Z")
I did this a few years ago, but I figured I’d give it a go again. I collect and wear kimono (and other Japanese clothing). I don’t consider myself an expert, but I seem to be the expert here. I recently took a class to … --- ## [Great moments in homeowner stupidity](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-moments-in-homeowner-stupidity/587968)
**Author:** [@Baracus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baracus)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [July 10, 2011, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-moments-in-homeowner-stupidity/587968 "2011-07-10T11:50:39Z")
For the past few days I have been waging a battle with my smoke detectors. The motherfucker downstairs would not stop beeping once every 45 seconds for four minutes every few hours. First I changed the battery and it sti… --- ## [When Kathy Griffin Met Michele Bachmann](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-kathy-griffin-met-michele-bachmann/588433)
**Author:** [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 10, 2011, 10:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-kathy-griffin-met-michele-bachmann/588433 "2011-07-10T10:10:48Z")
For those of you who haven’t seen this. --- ## [Personal TTY phone conversations...weird](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/personal-tty-phone-conversations-weird/587840)
**Author:** [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [July 10, 2011, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/personal-tty-phone-conversations-weird/587840 "2011-07-10T04:58:24Z")
I don’t know how many here at SDMB have ever utilitized TTY services before but they are the phone services for deaf people. It’s a speech-transcribed, third-party phone system which incorporates another party on the li… --- ## [English pronunciation of 'avoirdupois'](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-pronunciation-of-avoirdupois/588040)
**Author:** [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [July 10, 2011, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-pronunciation-of-avoirdupois/588040 "2011-07-10T02:20:20Z")
I’ve never heard this word pronounced in conversation, only read it. On those rare occasions when I did have the opportunity to say it, I would pronounce it more or less as the French would (a-VWAR-doo-PWAH). In the pa… --- ## [Cute newborn kittens...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cute-newborn-kittens/581474)
**Author:** [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Replies:** 136\ **Last updated:** [July 10, 2011, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cute-newborn-kittens/581474 "2011-07-10T01:50:45Z")
At long last, our pregnant foster cat finally gave birth to her kittens this morning. There are five kittens. The mama seems new at this. She didn’t bite off the umbilical cords or clean up the big blobs of afterbirth, s… --- ## [Well, I Knew I was Wrong to have Hopes about this Temp Job.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-i-knew-i-was-wrong-to-have-hopes-about-this-temp-job/587592)
**Author:** [@Two\_Many\_Cats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [July 10, 2011, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-i-knew-i-was-wrong-to-have-hopes-about-this-temp-job/587592 "2011-07-10T00:26:27Z")
Oh lucky me. It’s happened yet again. As you may or may not remember, I posted in the “Jobseekers, How’s it Going?” thread saying that I had gotten a month long temp to hire job. I was quite excited, as the CAPITAL LE… --- ## [Credit card companies, he's not just merely dead, he's really most sincerely dead!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/credit-card-companies-hes-not-just-merely-dead-hes-really-most-sincerely-dead/588107)
**Author:** [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2011, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/credit-card-companies-hes-not-just-merely-dead-hes-really-most-sincerely-dead/588107 "2011-07-09T19:40:03Z")
I am still receiving credit card checks–you know, the things where you can get a cash advance for your card–for my late husband’s accounts. Two different banks. Accounts that I notified the CC companies about within da… --- ## [Can anyone explain this news story?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-explain-this-news-story/588144)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2011, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-explain-this-news-story/588144 "2011-07-09T19:03:30Z")
What the heck do they mean by phone hacking? Are they talking about turning it on and writing down the numbers? Regular cell phones or smart phones? I’ve heard cops can clone the sim cards of phones. But, that takes sp… --- ## [Not a beautiful day in my neighborhood](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-a-beautiful-day-in-my-neighborhood/588266)
**Author:** [@Feyrat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Feyrat)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2011, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-a-beautiful-day-in-my-neighborhood/588266 "2011-07-09T18:12:35Z")
So, it’s been a pretty scary day here… this is all happening within walking distance of my house. Every time the dogs barked or I heard a siren all day, we got very tense. I hope this guy gives up soon. And because th… --- ## [Pendulum Waves](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pendulum-waves/588425)
**Author:** [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2011, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pendulum-waves/588425 "2011-07-09T17:26:18Z")
This website is loaded with fun stuff. This particular one just came to me in email. --- ## [People can't control their giggling? I disagree.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-cant-control-their-giggling-i-disagree/588274)
**Author:** [@JThunder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JThunder)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2011, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-cant-control-their-giggling-i-disagree/588274 "2011-07-09T16:15:40Z")
I was chatting with some people today about situations in which people sometimes giggle or otherwise laugh inappropriately. One person talked about how her husband used break into extended chortling during funerals, for… --- ## [Can you name all 50 U.S. states in ten minutes or less?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-name-all-50-u-s-states-in-ten-minutes-or-less/587984)
**Author:** [@Don\_Draper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_Draper)\ **Replies:** 125\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2011, 11:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-name-all-50-u-s-states-in-ten-minutes-or-less/587984 "2011-07-09T11:27:34Z")
I thought this quiz would be a piece of cake. It was easy going at first, and some are pretty obvious. But as I filled more of the map in, I admit I started to blank out. I suppose if it had been an unlimited time qui… --- ## [Why does the cat sleep on my backpack?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-cat-sleep-on-my-backpack/588219)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2011, 10:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-cat-sleep-on-my-backpack/588219 "2011-07-09T10:12:18Z")
I have a small daypack that I use to carry my work folders home with me. Pack goes on the bed, files to be worked on go to the left, finished files go back inside – if the cat isn’t sleeping on the bag. Why does he sle… --- ## [Last space shuttle launch this morning](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/last-space-shuttle-launch-this-morning/588297)
**Author:** [@joebuck20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joebuck20)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2011, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/last-space-shuttle-launch-this-morning/588297 "2011-07-09T05:36:29Z")
Anyone else watching? NASA should have ditched the shuttle long ago, but I’m still kind of sad, especially as we no longer anything have any idea when we’ll launch manned spacecraft again and will have to rely on the Ru… --- ## [I know the girl who broke up with this guy about a month ago](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-know-the-girl-who-broke-up-with-this-guy-about-a-month-ago/588256)
**Author:** [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2011, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-know-the-girl-who-broke-up-with-this-guy-about-a-month-ago/588256 "2011-07-09T04:15:22Z")
Man charged with stabbing death of MPS teacher My friend just told him she didn’t want to see him anymore about a month ago. :eek: She’s shaking like a leaf right now. --- ## [Found two very small kittens!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/found-two-very-small-kittens/580504)
**Author:** [@Jolly\_Roger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jolly_Roger)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2011, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/found-two-very-small-kittens/580504 "2011-07-09T03:19:47Z")
So our house was destroyed by the tornado 2 weeks ago, and while moving into an apartment while the house stuff is being handled, Patches, our two year old cat, busts out of her carrier and runs off. We’ve been looking f… --- ## [Haven't Heard Those 13-Year Cicads-Where Are They?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/havent-heard-those-13-year-cicads-where-are-they/587822)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2011, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/havent-heard-those-13-year-cicads-where-are-they/587822 "2011-07-09T03:06:56Z")
I was looking forward to hearing that electric saw noise…but the woods are still silent. This was supposed to be a big year for cicadas-so where are they? BTW-I live 20 miles west of Boston, MA. --- ## [Sometimes I wish...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sometimes-i-wish/588273)
**Author:** [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2011, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sometimes-i-wish/588273 "2011-07-09T02:57:49Z")
That I worked in a liquor store. I’d meet a better quality of people, and I bet employees get a discount. --- ## [Ask the guy who hasn't yet blown his hand off in a drunken 4th of July accident](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-hasnt-yet-blown-his-hand-off-in-a-drunken-4th-of-july-accident/587500)
**Author:** [@Enderw24](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enderw24)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2011, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-hasnt-yet-blown-his-hand-off-in-a-drunken-4th-of-july-accident/587500 "2011-07-09T00:46:26Z")
Go on. Ask me anything. I’ll type as long as I can. --- ## [Wailey Wailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wailey-wailey/588299)
**Author:** [@Lust4Life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lust4Life)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [July 8, 2011, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wailey-wailey/588299 "2011-07-08T23:49:03Z")
Its the English Summer, cold and wet, lost the paper part of my driving licence, which has cost me twenty quid and I have a broken toe which aches like taxes. Wailey, Wailey, I’m going to get drunk . --- ## [Man dies in motorcycle accident - while protesting helmet law.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-dies-in-motorcycle-accident-while-protesting-helmet-law/587729)
**Author:** [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Replies:** 77\ **Last updated:** [July 8, 2011, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-dies-in-motorcycle-accident-while-protesting-helmet-law/587729 "2011-07-08T23:28:55Z")
Not quite a Darwin award candidate in my book, but a fine example of an unfortunate coincidence award. Motorcyclist dies while riding to protest helmet law His head hit the pavement. I know they can’t know for sure, … --- ## [I am getting shot in the neck with laser beams tomorrow](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-getting-shot-in-the-neck-with-laser-beams-tomorrow/587863)
**Author:** [@Analogue\_Skywalker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Analogue_Skywalker)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [July 8, 2011, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-getting-shot-in-the-neck-with-laser-beams-tomorrow/587863 "2011-07-08T22:56:27Z")
I have no other reason to post this other than I ran out of people to tell about my decision to get my neck tattoos removed. I will gladly field any questions the masses might have --- ## [The first cat video](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-first-cat-video/588068)
**Author:** [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [July 8, 2011, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-first-cat-video/588068 "2011-07-08T20:15:54Z")
I give you Prof. Welton’s boxing cats, which was filmed in 1894. That’s almost a full century before the web, which more or less dates to 1993. Apparently the desire to dress cats up and make them do silly things has b… --- ## [Help me plan my next European Vacation v2.0 (Eastern Europe)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-plan-my-next-european-vacation-v2-0-eastern-europe/585151)
**Author:** [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [July 8, 2011, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-plan-my-next-european-vacation-v2-0-eastern-europe/585151 "2011-07-08T19:36:39Z")
You guys are always good for helping with traveling and vacations. This summer I am planning around a 14 day Road Trip, and I’d like whatever input, suggestions, warning, and anecdotes you might have to share. I only ha… --- ## [Its been a while since we had a White Elephant Exchange - anyone keen?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-been-a-while-since-we-had-a-white-elephant-exchange-anyone-keen/576637)
**Author:** [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Replies:** 232\ **Last updated:** [July 8, 2011, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-been-a-while-since-we-had-a-white-elephant-exchange-anyone-keen/576637 "2011-07-08T19:00:17Z")
Does anyone have a hankerin’ to unload a box of your cra…uh, stuff in exchange for someone else’s stuff? If enough people are keen I’ll set it up again. Here’s some back ground if you have no idea what I’m on about: h… --- ## [We do not give animals enough credit (VIDEO)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-do-not-give-animals-enough-credit-video/588000)
**Author:** [@jeredc1983](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jeredc1983)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [July 8, 2011, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-do-not-give-animals-enough-credit-video/588000 "2011-07-08T17:52:34Z")
This video was absolutely amazing to me. I was so intrigued by it I was hoping we could start a thread sharing some of our most amazing animal videos. No rules for sharing, but try to make sure they are truly unique an… --- ## ["Let's see you do better" argument](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-see-you-do-better-argument/588130)
**Author:** [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [July 8, 2011, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-see-you-do-better-argument/588130 "2011-07-08T17:51:02Z")
Does anyone know if there is a specific name for this sort of argument? This page discusses it but doesn’t name it. --- ## [Last Shuttle launch likely a go in a few minutes - Catch it now](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/last-shuttle-launch-likely-a-go-in-a-few-minutes-catch-it-now/588319)
**Author:** [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 8, 2011, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/last-shuttle-launch-likely-a-go-in-a-few-minutes-catch-it-now/588319 "2011-07-08T17:43:57Z")
It looks like the last shuttle launch is about to happen. You have a few minutes to watch it on NASA TV before it is gone for good. http://www.nasa.gov/externalflash/135\_splash/index.html [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/miscellaneous-and-personal-stuff-i-must-share/10.md?page=1273) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/miscellaneous-and-personal-stuff-i-must-share/10.md?page=1275)