# Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/miscellaneous-and-personal-stuff-i-must-share/10.md?page=193 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 194 --- ## [HVAC quits - but cheap fix](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hvac-quits-but-cheap-fix/971353)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2022, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hvac-quits-but-cheap-fix/971353 "2022-09-13T02:06:52Z")
The Celiera ductless mini split I installed in 2006 has performed flawlessly until yesterday. No cold air. I checked the outdoor unit and the fan was not turning. Closer inspection revealed it was humming so I give it a … --- ## [Experiences: alleyways behind houses?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/experiences-alleyways-behind-houses/969204)
**Author:** [@teelabrown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teelabrown)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2022, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/experiences-alleyways-behind-houses/969204 "2022-09-12T20:56:21Z")
We’re checking out houses on Zillow in an area we’re hoping to move to. I saw an awesome house this morning which pretty much checks all of our boxes. But the attached garage faces behind the house, towards an alley. … --- ## [Darwin in action :Speeding woman on cocaine kills drunk driver high on meth, police say](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/darwin-in-action-speeding-woman-on-cocaine-kills-drunk-driver-high-on-meth-police-say/971173)
**Author:** [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2022, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/darwin-in-action-speeding-woman-on-cocaine-kills-drunk-driver-high-on-meth-police-say/971173 "2022-09-12T19:48:19Z")
Just wow everyone was high and drunk at least 10 times the legal limits … at least it was morons hitting morons and not some mini SUV full of kids --- ## [Queen Elizabeth II Still Has A Lot of Powers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/queen-elizabeth-ii-still-has-a-lot-of-powers/966449)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2022, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/queen-elizabeth-ii-still-has-a-lot-of-powers/966449 "2022-09-12T19:05:33Z")
I was certainly surprised. I just got finished reading this article. And I had to share it with someone. Tell me: did you realize she still had so many powers? Thank you for letting me share this with you … --- ## [I was in Labor(Day) for 24 hours! - A Relaxing MMP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-in-labor-day-for-24-hours-a-relaxing-mmp/970968)
**Author:** [@dogbutler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dogbutler)\ **Replies:** 341\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2022, 7:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-in-labor-day-for-24-hours-a-relaxing-mmp/970968 "2022-09-12T07:17:15Z")
After 30 years of retail management, it’s still weird to work less on holiday weeks. The whole “about the same pay, better benefits, less stress, and ex-union president buried in Giants Stadium” are just extra benefits… --- ## [Scam E-Mails](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-e-mails/962629)
**Author:** [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2022, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-e-mails/962629 "2022-09-12T04:21:38Z")
Anyone else getting many of these? Lately, I’ve been getting one or two a day. It’s like the scammers have a pool going to see which one I’ll finally fall for. They’re a little more sophisticated than they used to be, r… --- ## [Ummm. They never asked me how I want my chicken(and other meats) treated. While they've been raised. Bad, bad, bad](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ummm-they-never-asked-me-how-i-want-my-chicken-and-other-meats-treated-while-theyve-been-raised-bad-bad-bad/971312)
**Author:** [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2022, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ummm-they-never-asked-me-how-i-want-my-chicken-and-other-meats-treated-while-theyve-been-raised-bad-bad-bad/971312 "2022-09-12T02:31:58Z")
Chickens are free ranged. Not sure I wanna eat bugs and ticks even after it’s turned into my chicken nuggets. Feed raised is good enough for me. In a cage. Clean water. Pigs in cages? How you gonna keep them from killi… --- ## [Town names that only locals get the pronunciation correct](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/town-names-that-only-locals-get-the-pronunciation-correct/969832)
**Author:** [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Replies:** 188\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2022, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/town-names-that-only-locals-get-the-pronunciation-correct/969832 "2022-09-11T21:02:48Z")
The Milwaukee suburb of New Berlin. Pronounced New BER-lin, not like the German city of ber-LIN. New Prague, MN. Actually pronounced ‘praig’ and not ‘prahg’. Kissimmee, FL. Pronounced ki-SIM-ee. Tourists usually go… --- ## [Quidditch played by muggles in space is it possible?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quidditch-played-by-muggles-in-space-is-it-possible/971376)
**Author:** [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2022, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quidditch-played-by-muggles-in-space-is-it-possible/971376 "2022-09-11T16:59:07Z")
Could we actually manage to have a quidditch like gameplay using some inflatable arena in low earth orbit and something like battery powered leaf blowers for brooms, and some form of drone maybe using compressed gas for … --- ## [I might be on Google Maps Street View.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-might-be-on-google-maps-street-view/593230)
**Author:** [@chiroptera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chiroptera)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2022, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-might-be-on-google-maps-street-view/593230 "2022-09-11T13:30:26Z")
So today I was painting the outside of a house in an upscale subdivision in Grand Blanc, MI. Several times - at least four - a snazzily painted vehicle with “Google Street View” graphics all over it cruised slowly past t… --- ## [Non-colored things that come in multiple colors](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-colored-things-that-come-in-multiple-colors/958048)
**Author:** [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2022, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-colored-things-that-come-in-multiple-colors/958048 "2022-09-11T00:11:14Z")
Not too long ago, I found that hydrogen, a nominally colorless gas, comes in multiple colors. The color indicates its source or how it’s produced. black H comes from coal grey H comes from methane/natural gas green H e… --- ## [Road trip EV vs Gas](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/road-trip-ev-vs-gas/971080)
**Author:** [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2022, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/road-trip-ev-vs-gas/971080 "2022-09-10T19:02:11Z")
Taking a road trip in an internal-combustion-powered vehicle: Signs on the freeway saying “Next Gas: 50 miles” and “Gas This Exit” Gas stations have signs visible a mile away Gas stations often come with restrooms and… --- ## [Hickory, dickory dock! Bad, bad, bad beckdawrek and the mystery of the clocks, and other varied and sundry small items. (well, one thing is kinda big)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hickory-dickory-dock-bad-bad-bad-beckdawrek-and-the-mystery-of-the-clocks-and-other-varied-and-sundry-small-items-well-one-thing-is-kinda-big/971012)
**Author:** [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2022, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hickory-dickory-dock-bad-bad-bad-beckdawrek-and-the-mystery-of-the-clocks-and-other-varied-and-sundry-small-items-well-one-thing-is-kinda-big/971012 "2022-09-10T04:27:53Z")
So…I got sprung from jail (ummm, I meant the rehab facility) I have to go go back tonight. I came in the house this morning. It’s obvious they had a fast clean up. But it’s was clean, I was happy. Son-of-a-Wrek is doi… --- ## [So I was in a car accident](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-was-in-a-car-accident/970289)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [September 9, 2022, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-was-in-a-car-accident/970289 "2022-09-09T22:48:59Z")
…and my vehicle is probably totaled. Nobody was injured, which is good news. And the accident was clearly not my fault; a tractor trailer backed into my car. The trucking company has already told me they will pay for t… --- ## [Help me understand "dark stores" and the problems they are causing in Paris](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-understand-dark-stores-and-the-problems-they-are-causing-in-paris/971235)
**Author:** [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [September 9, 2022, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-understand-dark-stores-and-the-problems-they-are-causing-in-paris/971235 "2022-09-09T22:42:09Z")
While reading the BBC website regarding the death of the Queen, this article regarding dark stores causing problems in Paris came up. Wikipedia has this to say about them. I had never heard of dark stores previousl… --- ## [Bay Area Dopers, how are you weathering this horrible heat wave?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bay-area-dopers-how-are-you-weathering-this-horrible-heat-wave/971067)
**Author:** [@teelabrown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teelabrown)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [September 9, 2022, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bay-area-dopers-how-are-you-weathering-this-horrible-heat-wave/971067 "2022-09-09T21:34:33Z")
And what’s the temperature in your town? It’s predicted to reach 113 degrees in my town today. We spent Labor Day weekend cowering indoors in the A/C, and keeping all other electrical devices turned off as much as poss… --- ## [CNN anchor Bernard Shaw dead at 82](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cnn-anchor-bernard-shaw-dead-at-82/971260)
**Author:** [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [September 9, 2022, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cnn-anchor-bernard-shaw-dead-at-82/971260 "2022-09-09T20:40:42Z")
CNN anchor Bernard Shaw dead at 82 He died yesterday. He was CNN’s first chief anchor, and I remember him covering the first gulf war. He was a good reporter. And he was a Corporal in the Marine Corps too. Rest In Peac… --- ## [Colorized 19th and early century videos](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colorized-19th-and-early-century-videos/971039)
**Author:** [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [September 9, 2022, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colorized-19th-and-early-century-videos/971039 "2022-09-09T13:23:26Z")
There is this channel that I subscribe to which colorizes old videos. It makes the place look more real somehow than black and white versions When I look at the kids, I wonder how many died in the trenches… --- ## [And … we’re sheltering in place …](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-we-re-sheltering-in-place/970944)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [September 9, 2022, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-we-re-sheltering-in-place/970944 "2022-09-09T13:00:05Z")
Several public alerts on our cellphones about two guys from up north who are doing random stabbings. Except they’re now believed to have come south and have been spotted on one of the major arterial roads in our city. C… --- ## [Billionaire Preppers - Whoosh or Weird?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/billionaire-preppers-whoosh-or-weird/970952)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2022, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/billionaire-preppers-whoosh-or-weird/970952 "2022-09-08T23:38:26Z")
Any thoughts on this curious article about what wealthy Siliconas have in common with well regulated militiamen? :wink: --- ## [Big game hunter hunted and killed](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-game-hunter-hunted-and-killed/971184)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2022, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-game-hunter-hunted-and-killed/971184 "2022-09-08T22:34:59Z")
South African outfitter who was known for shooting big game and having his pic taken with dead animals found shot dead. Motive not known. No suspects at the moment. --- ## [Have you ever hailed a taxi?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-hailed-a-taxi/966224)
**Author:** [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2022, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-hailed-a-taxi/966224 "2022-09-08T21:44:52Z")
Got to wondering about this, as I recently listened to “Taxi” by Harry Chapin: “A lady up ahead waved to flag me down/She got in at the light.” Have you ever flagged down a cab? I sure have, in New York City, as well a… --- ## [Dear work, potluck is not a 'treat'](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-work-potluck-is-not-a-treat/541877)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 264\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2022, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-work-potluck-is-not-a-treat/541877 "2022-09-08T21:04:13Z")
I’m SICK of work potlucks. We’ve been stuck with about one of these per month this year. I work ten hour days. I don’t cook and I don’t like having to stop at the store having to buy shit outside of grocery day. Addin… --- ## [Remembrances of Vacation Souvenirs Past](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remembrances-of-vacation-souvenirs-past/971148)
**Author:** [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2022, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remembrances-of-vacation-souvenirs-past/971148 "2022-09-08T18:59:37Z")
Wit the passing of Summer 2022, I find myself in a nostalgic mood, remembering vacations we took when I was a kid, and of the souvenirs picked up along the way. Many of these have generally disappeared, but you can still… --- ## [Is "they were drunk/high too" a useable legal defense in a car crash](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-they-were-drunk-high-too-a-useable-legal-defense-in-a-car-crash/971175)
**Author:** [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2022, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-they-were-drunk-high-too-a-useable-legal-defense-in-a-car-crash/971175 "2022-09-08T18:51:27Z")
Continuing the discussion from Darwin in acttion :Speeding woman on cocaine kills drunk driver high on meth, police say: You know that’s the first thing a defense attorney is going to say in court ," people of the jury … --- ## [Housing the world population](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/housing-the-world-population/596863)
**Author:** [@mister\_mistro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mister_mistro)\ **Replies:** 136\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2022, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/housing-the-world-population/596863 "2022-09-08T16:09:30Z")
I am right now designing a place that can hold 275,000 people/ families, comfortably (151512 feet), in about 1.5 square kilometers. I calculated that if 47,000 of these the building could hold about 6 billion people. Th… --- ## [The Queen was in Hospital: 2021-10-21](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-queen-was-in-hospital-2021-10-21/952951)
**Author:** [@Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_was_in_Saudi)\ **Replies:** 93\ **Last updated:** [June 6, 2022, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-queen-was-in-hospital-2021-10-21/952951 "2022-06-06T00:10:04Z")
\-=Link=- Seems the Queen spent Wednesday night in (the) hospital. She was released about noon on Thursday. She is 95 years old, and frankly hardly needs a reason. The other day, the Palace cancelled a trip to Northern I… --- ## [Anyone here a lotto winner?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-here-a-lotto-winner/971036)
**Author:** [@Persimmon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Persimmon)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2022, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-here-a-lotto-winner/971036 "2022-09-08T05:00:27Z")
Just out of curiosity, anyone here a big lotto winner? I’m mainly asking about people who have won at least $50K and up. If so, did you notice people wanting to be your friend after that? People who never talked to y… --- ## [Dealing with depressive anger](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dealing-with-depressive-anger/971062)
**Author:** [@Slight\_Off\_Hand](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slight_Off_Hand)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2022, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dealing-with-depressive-anger/971062 "2022-09-07T23:34:55Z")
I don’t post much here but I’ve been following for a long time. I need advice and have nobody IRL that I can talk with. Either people who are involved or people I don’t have a close enough relationship with to discuss. … --- ## [The End of the Confederacy -- in Brazil](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-end-of-the-confederacy-in-brazil/971138)
**Author:** [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2022, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-end-of-the-confederacy-in-brazil/971138 "2022-09-07T18:16:47Z")
I’ve been fascinated in recent years by the story of the Confederados – descendants of people from the Confederate States of America who fled to Brazil after the end of the Civil War, unwilling to live in a US that outla… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/miscellaneous-and-personal-stuff-i-must-share/10.md?page=192) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/miscellaneous-and-personal-stuff-i-must-share/10.md?page=194)