# Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/miscellaneous-and-personal-stuff-i-must-share/10.md?page=352 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 353 --- ## [2019 Secret Santa Exchange (express lane version)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2019-secret-santa-exchange-express-lane-version/843589)
**Author:** [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Replies:** 155\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2020, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2019-secret-santa-exchange-express-lane-version/843589 "2020-01-07T15:49:39Z")
Alright folks, let’s do this thing! We’ll have to hurry, though, since we’re getting a late start this year. Here are the details, copied shamelessly from Silvorange’s instructions last year: PM me. Please put your u… --- ## [Collaboration: Perfecting home composting system](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/collaboration-perfecting-home-composting-system/846040)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2020, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/collaboration-perfecting-home-composting-system/846040 "2020-01-07T15:02:11Z")
This is kind of an experiment in collaborating but I would also genuinely like to see the perfect composting operation perfected and at the same time see this as an exercise in implementing some rules of engagement while… --- ## [O'Keeffe's...oh, god!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okeeffes-oh-god/845802)
**Author:** [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2020, 7:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okeeffes-oh-god/845802 "2020-01-07T07:54:46Z")
Being a diabetic and it’s cool weather my skin is acting stoopid. I drink lots of water. I’m hygienic. I moisterize regularly. I’m fond of Palmer’s Cocoa butter and it’s chocolate-y smelling goodness. Feeds a food fe… --- ## [So - are you cool, like me, by using only the number keys along the TOP of your keypad...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-are-you-cool-like-me-by-using-only-the-number-keys-along-the-top-of-your-keypad/845733)
**Author:** [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2020, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-are-you-cool-like-me-by-using-only-the-number-keys-along-the-top-of-your-keypad/845733 "2020-01-06T21:49:13Z")
…as oppposed to that useless, square cluster of keys on far right of keypad? Sure, I’m dating myself here by saying I learned on your basic typewriter that had the much smaller keypad, but still, get off my lawn, alread… --- ## [Kia Optima - odd windshield shape.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kia-optima-odd-windshield-shape/846033)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2020, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kia-optima-odd-windshield-shape/846033 "2020-01-06T21:43:09Z")
I looked at the car parked next to me the other day and was drawn to the strange windshield shape. It does not have a straight edge on top as it expands into the roof at each corner. I thought that was a bad decision by … --- ## [More Info Needed](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-info-needed/846030)
**Author:** [@MacCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacCat)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2020, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-info-needed/846030 "2020-01-06T16:12:43Z")
Ladies or Mens? Long or Short Iron? Metal Wood or Putter? Why the secrecy? Should this be in The Game Room? --- ## [Out With the Old, In With the New, Happy New Year! MMP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/out-with-the-old-in-with-the-new-happy-new-year-mmp/845585)
**Author:** [@Sahirrnee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sahirrnee)\ **Replies:** 235\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2020, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/out-with-the-old-in-with-the-new-happy-new-year-mmp/845585 "2020-01-06T13:56:31Z")
Happy Moonday! Two more days left this year, and then we start anew. So many people tell me that 2019 has been the worst year of their life. It wasn’t so bad for me. I got a huge raise at irk, my income increased by 6… --- ## [Beck'sthinkin' bad, bad, bad thoughts AGAIN!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/becksthinkin-bad-bad-bad-thoughts-again/845957)
**Author:** [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2020, 8:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/becksthinkin-bad-bad-bad-thoughts-again/845957 "2020-01-06T08:19:36Z")
(That’s not a missed space in the title, I like it like that) So, here we go. I swear I’m not a sociopath. I promise, Daddy had me examined. I’m not a serial stalker either. What I am is a prolific reader. And, face i… --- ## [Straight Dope thread cited in paper](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-thread-cited-in-paper/845962)
**Author:** [@Personal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Personal)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2020, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-thread-cited-in-paper/845962 "2020-01-06T03:35:20Z")
This thread is discussed in this 2018 paper (pdf) beginning on page 98: Labor and Delivery: Television Performances by Pregnant Actresses From 1948-2016. No point. Just something I came across. This is the first time I’… --- ## [My cat is probably dying](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-cat-is-probably-dying/845436)
**Author:** [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2020, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-cat-is-probably-dying/845436 "2020-01-06T01:40:06Z")
I have two cats. But the really nice one is sick, and probably dying. The vet says her blood tests show abnormal liver function. It might be an infection (although the urine test was negative for bacteria) or it might be… --- ## [ok girls new product for ya.... does this actually solve a problem?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-girls-new-product-for-ya-does-this-actually-solve-a-problem/845659)
**Author:** [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [January 5, 2020, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-girls-new-product-for-ya-does-this-actually-solve-a-problem/845659 "2020-01-05T02:03:56Z")
Seen this mentioned on twitter and the responses are savage and funny but what im wondering does this solve an actual problem? Heres the website : Please discuss and if ya wanna read the twitter response ill link to i… --- ## [Small household crisis' are all around (bad, bad, not so bad)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-household-crisis-are-all-around-bad-bad-not-so-bad/845907)
**Author:** [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [January 5, 2020, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-household-crisis-are-all-around-bad-bad-not-so-bad/845907 "2020-01-05T01:12:30Z")
The lil’wrekker had a dental cleaning/exam/whitening this morning. She shot me 2 texts. “I have a cavity, Ma!”…“What do I do?” Now, she’s never had one before. She had wisdom teeth drama a coupla years ago. I told her a… --- ## [President Nixon's 1978 speech and Q&A to the Oxford Union](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-nixons-1978-speech-and-q-a-to-the-oxford-union/845952)
**Author:** [@Boycott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boycott)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [January 5, 2020, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-nixons-1978-speech-and-q-a-to-the-oxford-union/845952 "2020-01-05T00:19:54Z")
Just spent the last two hours watching this video. I find it utterly fascinating. He was four years out of office at that point and I suspect this was his first “open to the floor” speaking event since resigning in disgr… --- ## [Oddball question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oddball-question/845920)
**Author:** [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2020, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oddball-question/845920 "2020-01-04T21:43:10Z")
My husband suffered a broken leg about 4 months ago. Treatment included implanting a metal rod the length of his tibia. Now, he’s facing jury duty in the not-too-distant future, and we’re wondering if that metal in his l… --- ## [So I'm a "Youtuber" . . .](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-a-youtuber/845693)
**Author:** [@GreenHell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreenHell)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2020, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-im-a-youtuber/845693 "2020-01-04T17:46:51Z")
I got my first tech job and am on bench status. Since I’ve not got anything in the way of job duties right now, and because I want to establish tangible evidence of doing something worthwhile (in case I get laid off and … --- ## [Voice recognition software](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voice-recognition-software/845905)
**Author:** [@bizerta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bizerta)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2020, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voice-recognition-software/845905 "2020-01-04T03:41:58Z")
I called my credit card company (USAA). I knew my problem was not on their menu. When they started to list the options, I said, “OPERATOR”. The recording said, “OK, you want to talk to a customer service representativ… --- ## [Australia wildfire burned so long that local birds imitated the sound of fire-engine sirens](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/australia-wildfire-burned-so-long-that-local-birds-imitated-the-sound-of-fire-engine-sirens/845807)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2020, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/australia-wildfire-burned-so-long-that-local-birds-imitated-the-sound-of-fire-engine-sirens/845807 "2020-01-04T02:21:27Z")
The wildfires in Australia have burned for so long that the local birds have learned by now to imitate the sound of a fire-engine truck siren. --- ## [That time I was a bigot.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-time-i-was-a-bigot/845597)
**Author:** [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2020, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-time-i-was-a-bigot/845597 "2020-01-03T23:28:08Z")
Feel free to comment on my story or share your own embarrassing story. Back in the day, when a fresh faced Bill Clinton was President, and I was just out of college, I worked at Radio Shack as a commission salesmen. In… --- ## [Newseum closing today (December 31 2019)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newseum-closing-today-december-31-2019/845685)
**Author:** [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2020, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newseum-closing-today-december-31-2019/845685 "2020-01-03T21:40:36Z")
The Newseum (News Museum) in Washington DC, just off the Mall, is closing today after being open for only 11 years. I finally got a chance to visit (if only for a few hours) a couple of months ago. A gorgeous building i… --- ## [The Innocent Days of Gender-segregated swim lessons at YMCA & many public high schools](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-innocent-days-of-gender-segregated-swim-lessons-at-ymca-many-public-high-schools/845902)
**Author:** [@Ron\_Haag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ron_Haag)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2020, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-innocent-days-of-gender-segregated-swim-lessons-at-ymca-many-public-high-schools/845902 "2020-01-03T21:29:37Z")
It’s been a while since visiting this website. Since then, I’ve spent many hours writing an essay titled "My Rite-of-Passage in “61.” What brought me back was a search query re:a YMCA TV jingle from the early "70’s urgi… --- ## [Twelve Year Old Starts Lawn Fire with Magnifying Glass](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twelve-year-old-starts-lawn-fire-with-magnifying-glass/845664)
**Author:** [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2020, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twelve-year-old-starts-lawn-fire-with-magnifying-glass/845664 "2020-01-03T20:31:27Z")
https://www.cnn.com/2019/12/30/us/magnifying-glass-christmas-gift-lawn-fire-trnd/index.html This kid has a promising future in Optics. The parents “thought \[the magnifying glass\] was for reading”??? Seriously? Were … --- ## [Woo hoo, I'm retiring! Retirees...what should I be thinking about?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woo-hoo-im-retiring-retirees-what-should-i-be-thinking-about/831211)
**Author:** [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2020, 11:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woo-hoo-im-retiring-retirees-what-should-i-be-thinking-about/831211 "2020-01-03T11:34:02Z")
It’s not actually until year-end, but it’s public at work and it’s gonna happen. Most of my effort has been getting my finances lined up, and I have spent very little time thinking about those first weeks and months, oth… --- ## ["I do not care" (beckdawrek recieves a bad, bad, bad, mysterious message)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-do-not-care-beckdawrek-recieves-a-bad-bad-bad-mysterious-message/845755)
**Author:** [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2020, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-do-not-care-beckdawrek-recieves-a-bad-bad-bad-mysterious-message/845755 "2020-01-03T04:35:26Z")
I love journals. I have many. The lil’wrekker always gets me one for presents. Other folks do as well. I recieved 3 for Christmas. I cracked one open to begin writing in it today. I filled the first page. Nice paper. Lo… --- ## [If I found a brick of solid gold with no indication of ownership on the side of the street](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-found-a-brick-of-solid-gold-with-no-indication-of-ownership-on-the-side-of-the-street/845541)
**Author:** [@Garak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Garak)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2020, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-found-a-brick-of-solid-gold-with-no-indication-of-ownership-on-the-side-of-the-street/845541 "2020-01-03T03:42:01Z")
What legal process do I have to go through to legally own/sell it? --- ## [What are those machines at the airport for?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-those-machines-at-the-airport-for/845716)
**Author:** [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2020, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-those-machines-at-the-airport-for/845716 "2020-01-02T22:12:26Z")
When passing through security in European airports (I have seen them in Germany, Belgium, Spain, France) I notice that they have deployed machines where the security personnel rubs a strip of paper (?) on your baggage, s… --- ## [Dr. Foster (BBC series currently on Netflix)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dr-foster-bbc-series-currently-on-netflix/845779)
**Author:** [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2020, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dr-foster-bbc-series-currently-on-netflix/845779 "2020-01-02T15:07:37Z")
This excellent series is actually 2 years old so I don’t know how many people may have seen it in U.K or how many are watching it now. I’d love to discuss it but barring that, I have a very specific question for anyone w… --- ## [I Missed 2019 - What Happened?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-missed-2019-what-happened/845766)
**Author:** [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2020, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-missed-2019-what-happened/845766 "2020-01-02T05:25:53Z")
We’ve played this little game a few times over the years. Let’s say I got knocked unconscious on New Year’s Eve 2018 and woke up on New Year’s Day 2020. I have all my previous memories, but I’ve missed out on every news … --- ## [For 2020, Doomsday is Saturday](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-2020-doomsday-is-saturday/845750)
**Author:** [@K364](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/K364)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2020, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-2020-doomsday-is-saturday/845750 "2020-01-02T03:02:33Z")
The Doomsday Rule determines the day of the week for a given date. Details are here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doomsday\_rule So, here goes: The last day of February (the 29th) is a Saturday For the even months, A… --- ## [It Came From The Crypt (Sequential Threads 2019)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-came-from-the-crypt-sequential-threads-2019/827052)
**Author:** [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Replies:** 1530\ **Last updated:** [January 1, 2020, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-came-from-the-crypt-sequential-threads-2019/827052 "2020-01-01T23:55:50Z")
When I’m 64, and other reminders that you are old. My computer is 8 years old and still works like it’s brand new. And as a special bonus, blasts from the past: --- ## [The person you lost your virginity with: Where are they?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-person-you-lost-your-virginity-with-where-are-they/845330)
**Author:** [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Replies:** 121\ **Last updated:** [January 1, 2020, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-person-you-lost-your-virginity-with-where-are-they/845330 "2020-01-01T23:35:31Z")
I’m not looking for salacious content, no sexy time stories. Just this simple question: Where’s the person you lost your virginity with now (if’n you know)? The woman I lost mine with is living in AZ, married with a kid… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/miscellaneous-and-personal-stuff-i-must-share/10.md?page=351) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/miscellaneous-and-personal-stuff-i-must-share/10.md?page=353)