# Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/miscellaneous-and-personal-stuff-i-must-share/10.md?page=275 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 276 --- ## [Ever wake up from a dream freezing cold?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-wake-up-from-a-dream-freezing-cold/937802)
**Author:** [@P-man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/P-man)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [March 12, 2021, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-wake-up-from-a-dream-freezing-cold/937802 "2021-03-12T22:23:27Z")
The other night I was having a mundane dream about riding a car down the road, but suddenly a carload of what looked like prohibition era gangsters started shooting at me. I looked down and there was a hole in my arm an… --- ## [The neuroses of free money](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-neuroses-of-free-money/933818)
**Author:** [@Unintentionally\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unintentionally_Blank)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [March 12, 2021, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-neuroses-of-free-money/933818 "2021-03-12T22:14:03Z")
An extra $100 used to be awesome, but having an end of year bonus drop is a mix of anxieties…some impostor syndrome, some upheaval at messing up the family budget, a little bit of "Well I got this windfall, but the thing… --- ## [Let's talk Alexa (voice operated devices)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-alexa-voice-operated-devices/937167)
**Author:** [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [March 12, 2021, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-alexa-voice-operated-devices/937167 "2021-03-12T15:39:09Z")
I purchased an Amazon Echo Studio and got it the other day. Mostly wanted to just hook up to wifi Music (current sound system won’t). Kinda creepy in a way. I didn’t really want voice control. But, seems to work well. S… --- ## [My memory is like a sieve, except for useless crap](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-memory-is-like-a-sieve-except-for-useless-crap/934018)
**Author:** [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [March 11, 2021, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-memory-is-like-a-sieve-except-for-useless-crap/934018 "2021-03-11T22:43:16Z")
I work as a research scientist, and so my days consist of reading, writing, and reviewing cutting-edge research papers; familiarizing myself with the latest software and technology; and advising graduate students on thei… --- ## [Our old dog has lost the ability to walk. We're HOPING he will recover](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/our-old-dog-has-lost-the-ability-to-walk-were-hoping-he-will-recover/934138)
**Author:** [@Lamoral](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamoral)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [March 11, 2021, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/our-old-dog-has-lost-the-ability-to-walk-were-hoping-he-will-recover/934138 "2021-03-11T16:11:14Z")
Our dog Doc is a 14 year old yellow lab. Over the past year he has slowed down dramatically because of arthritis, walking very stiffly and slipping occasionally, but still able to walk. Until Saturday night. He was layin… --- ## [Let's talk about Vascular Dementia](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-vascular-dementia/937331)
**Author:** [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [March 11, 2021, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-vascular-dementia/937331 "2021-03-11T15:57:55Z")
\*\* Obligatory Note \*\* I am opening this thread out of need. I would ask that nobody take the opportunity to come sailing in to chide me or anyone contributing for what they say. The SDMB is not my Mom’s physician. I am a… --- ## [Potato Head -- Preferred Pronouns](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potato-head-preferred-pronouns/933844)
**Author:** [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [March 11, 2021, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potato-head-preferred-pronouns/933844 "2021-03-11T01:38:35Z")
I’ve been hearing today about Hasbro’s renaming “Mr. Potato Head” as simply “Potato Head”. It’s on a lot of radio talk shows. But it’s not really true. Here’s the Hasbro announcement posted online: https://corporate.h… --- ## [March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/march-comes-in-like-a-lion-and-goes-out-like-a-lamp/937552)
**Author:** [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2021, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/march-comes-in-like-a-lion-and-goes-out-like-a-lamp/937552 "2021-03-10T14:43:40Z")
That’s how the saying goes right? Someone said it’s ‘out like a lamb’, but that makes no sense, lambs don’t go out. --- ## [Have you ever given or taken a ride from a stranger?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-given-or-taken-a-ride-from-a-stranger/932712)
**Author:** [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Replies:** 98\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2021, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-given-or-taken-a-ride-from-a-stranger/932712 "2021-03-10T02:07:02Z")
Over in the Karma Bank thread, a few posts discuss hitch-hiking, with a few people mentioning giving a ride to a stranger on occasion. I thought this would be an interesting topic - so, have you ever given a ride to a st… --- ## [Washington State to Washington DC bike path soon](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-state-to-washington-dc-bike-path-soon/937405)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2021, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-state-to-washington-dc-bike-path-soon/937405 "2021-03-09T22:48:04Z")
It will soon be possible to bike from coast to coast via this new 4000 mile path New 4000-Mile Trail Will Let People Bike Across US on One Path (returntonow.net) I think using old railroad routes is ingenious, and I wo… --- ## [Advice for selling Vinyl LP's](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-for-selling-vinyl-lps/937467)
**Author:** [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2021, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-for-selling-vinyl-lps/937467 "2021-03-09T16:54:07Z")
Hey Doper hive mind: Some advice needed. I’m going to be letting go of a small record collection of mine - mid 70’s to mid 80’s. They’re all in very good/excellent condition. Many were played only once or twice and pu… --- ## [Missile Attack on Saudi Arabia](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/missile-attack-on-saudi-arabia/937419)
**Author:** [@Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_was_in_Saudi)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2021, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/missile-attack-on-saudi-arabia/937419 "2021-03-09T13:31:06Z")
I am fine. Here is an initial report. About 19.30 last night, as I was putting on my PJs, there was a boom outside. The blast lacked the sharp supersonic crack that you get from a nearby high explosive explosion. I went… --- ## [How big a financial screwup was this?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-big-a-financial-screwup-was-this/937483)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2021, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-big-a-financial-screwup-was-this/937483 "2021-03-09T00:02:55Z")
We got a bonus at work, and I had to decide how much of it to put into my 401K. I did so, and the numbers seemed roughly correct when it was disbursed at the end of last month. (Spoiler: it was not.) But then I see my n… --- ## [Day-on, day-off intermittent fasting](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/day-on-day-off-intermittent-fasting/937462)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [March 8, 2021, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/day-on-day-off-intermittent-fasting/937462 "2021-03-08T16:42:52Z")
I’ve been considering doing intermittent day-on, day-off fasting (one day of normal food, one day of no food, etc.) AIUI, if someone only goes for 30-40 hours in a row with no food, it doesn’t require the delicate, caref… --- ## [Happy International Women's Day!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-international-womens-day/937461)
**Author:** [@naita](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/naita)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [March 8, 2021, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-international-womens-day/937461 "2021-03-08T15:43:21Z")
Well it’s not mundane or pointless, and it is a bit sad how much it is still needed, and that there are still people who respond with “Well when is international men’s day?!” (November 19th), but at least Biden is now no… --- ## [Proliferation of user names](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proliferation-of-user-names/934118)
**Author:** [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [March 8, 2021, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proliferation-of-user-names/934118 "2021-03-08T15:24:26Z")
On a typical work day, I log onto multiple computer systems. Some local, some remote, some company-owned, some customer or vendor-owned. And there’s almost no repeat of the names I use to log in. For example, if my name… --- ## [Recipes for homemade toothpaste](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recipes-for-homemade-toothpaste/937377)
**Author:** [@Nayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nayna)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [March 8, 2021, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recipes-for-homemade-toothpaste/937377 "2021-03-08T05:59:37Z")
In 2019 I went to a presentation by a photographer for National Geographic, Randy Olson, and he mentioned that toothpaste tubes are just about the #1 hardest thing to recycle/decompose. The world’s landfills are full of … --- ## [A wayward soul's MMP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-wayward-souls-mmp/934002)
**Author:** [@Capt\_Kirk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt_Kirk)\ **Replies:** 273\ **Last updated:** [March 8, 2021, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-wayward-souls-mmp/934002 "2021-03-08T02:37:57Z")
So, I have been away for a bit. I surely have some splaining to do. Through no fault of my fellow Mumpers I have had some issues, but nothing too serious. It has been interesting, to say the least. I have had the good f… --- ## [Abusing Amazon Prime?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abusing-amazon-prime/937208)
**Author:** [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2021, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abusing-amazon-prime/937208 "2021-03-07T23:38:19Z")
At some point I am gonna feel bad about this… probably. But since I got Prime recently I really am a 1st World Dipshit :slight\_smile: I used gather up 4 or five items, at least $50 bucks worth, but no longer for me. $… --- ## [County school board in Virginia expands "read across America" day beyond Dr. Seuss, to improve racial diversity (title updated)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/county-school-board-in-virginia-expands-read-across-america-day-beyond-dr-seuss-to-improve-racial-diversity-title-updated/933988)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2021, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/county-school-board-in-virginia-expands-read-across-america-day-beyond-dr-seuss-to-improve-racial-diversity-title-updated/933988 "2021-03-07T17:00:46Z")
Too many white people other than the grinch and they can’t figure out which sneetches should have stars upon thars --- ## [Happy birthday, Horatio and Spicy!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-birthday-horatio-and-spicy/937194)
**Author:** [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2021, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-birthday-horatio-and-spicy/937194 "2021-03-07T16:43:23Z")
Today, March 4, marks the birthday of two of our more prolific and popular members, Spice\_Weasel and Horatio\_Hellpop. Happy birthday to you both and please enjoy some cake on me. :birthday: :birthday: --- ## [Bolded user names v @ names](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bolded-user-names-v-names/937292)
**Author:** [@mordecaiB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mordecaiB)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2021, 7:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bolded-user-names-v-names/937292 "2021-03-07T07:13:10Z")
We used to bold user names but now with the @ username feature that seems to be falling by the wayside. What, if any, are the pluses/minuses for you? Does it make any difference to you at all? Do you still just bold nam… --- ## ["Hovering" Ship Photographed](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hovering-ship-photographed/937284)
**Author:** [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiendish_Astronaut)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2021, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hovering-ship-photographed/937284 "2021-03-07T04:10:59Z")
I’m struggling to get my head around the explanation for the incredible photo in this article. --- ## [The San Antonio Snowdeo](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-san-antonio-snowdeo/933415)
**Author:** [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2021, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-san-antonio-snowdeo/933415 "2021-03-07T00:33:27Z")
You get used to ignoring the weather reports in San Antonio, especially if you have lived in other parts of the country- the weather here is pretty stable, hot during the summer, colder and rainy during the winter months… --- ## [Do dog theft rings operate on a "circuit"...?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-dog-theft-rings-operate-on-a-circuit/937298)
**Author:** [@Mundane\_Super\_Hero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mundane_Super_Hero)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2021, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-dog-theft-rings-operate-on-a-circuit/937298 "2021-03-06T22:29:12Z")
I’ve noticed that by me every 2 years or so the number of dogs reported missing skyrockets for a few weeks. I’ll see reports on FB of about 20+ dogs all missing in a 2 week period. Afterward, it goes back to one dog mi… --- ## [Have you ever named your car?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-named-your-car/933324)
**Author:** [@Capn\_Carl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capn_Carl)\ **Replies:** 92\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2021, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-named-your-car/933324 "2021-03-06T00:16:36Z")
I can think of three named cars I’ve known. When I was a kid, my sister drove a beater Plymouth Valiant. She called it Bertha the Pig, or just Bertha, for some reason. When Wife and I refer to her car, we’re too lazy t… --- ## [De-Apple-ifying my life](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/de-apple-ifying-my-life/933842)
**Author:** [@Cumberdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cumberdale)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2021, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/de-apple-ifying-my-life/933842 "2021-03-05T19:54:17Z")
My first computer back in the 90s was an Apple. I have for the most part had Apple products almost nonstop. I’ve always liked them and found them much better than PCs. The one drawback is the cost, and it still is a prob… --- ## [Microsoft has it in for me](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-has-it-in-for-me/937182)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2021, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-has-it-in-for-me/937182 "2021-03-05T17:36:29Z")
Two months ago I bought a new computer which came with Windows 10. Although the legacy programs I like worked fine in Windows 7 as I expected they do not run in 10. But now there is a new problem. I have a legal copy of… --- ## [She's\* not a tomboy, she's a boy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shes-not-a-tomboy-shes-a-boy/933532)
**Author:** [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2021, 10:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shes-not-a-tomboy-shes-a-boy/933532 "2021-03-05T10:27:18Z")
My oldest grandson, aged 11, came home from school with some exciting news today. The annual school camp is happening next week, and he’s going to be sharing a cabin with his absolute besties, Aaron and Mary!!! He then … --- ## [Turn on the subtitles!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turn-on-the-subtitles/934064)
**Author:** [@its\_the\_daddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/its_the_daddy)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2021, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turn-on-the-subtitles/934064 "2021-03-05T04:55:39Z")
Turning on the subtitles while children are watching television can double the chances of a child becoming good at reading† . It’s so brilliantly simple and can help children’s literacy so much that we want to shout it f… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/miscellaneous-and-personal-stuff-i-must-share/10.md?page=274) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/miscellaneous-and-personal-stuff-i-must-share/10.md?page=276)