# Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/miscellaneous-and-personal-stuff-i-must-share/10.md?page=41 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 42 --- ## [Measuring distance on Google Maps: improved version](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/measuring-distance-on-google-maps-improved-version/1024056)
**Author:** [@Timz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Timz)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [October 18, 2025, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/measuring-distance-on-google-maps-improved-version/1024056 "2025-10-18T17:22:31Z")
\[I wrote this a couple years ago\] This post is about investigating Google Maps’ accuracy – specifically, how accurately you can measure distances off of it. If you’re not interested in that, no need to read any furth… --- ## [Heart and Soul on the radio](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heart-and-soul-on-the-radio/1023964)
**Author:** [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2025, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heart-and-soul-on-the-radio/1023964 "2025-10-17T20:40:35Z")
I’m in the local pharmacy picking up a couple refills, and like many companies do, they have a radio station playing songs quietly on the PA system. A new tune starts and my initial reaction is “Ha! They’re riffing on … --- ## [Tomiichi Murayama, Former Prime Minister of Japan, dies at 101 years old](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tomiichi-murayama-former-prime-minister-of-japan-dies-at-101-years-old/1024047)
**Author:** [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2025, 7:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tomiichi-murayama-former-prime-minister-of-japan-dies-at-101-years-old/1024047 "2025-10-17T07:25:49Z")
Japan ex-PM Murayama, famous for WWII apology, dies aged 101 Here is the full text in English of the famous apology. That site is from Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The speech is dated 15 August 1995. --- ## [Some American tourists are flagjacking; Canadians are not amused](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-american-tourists-are-flagjacking-canadians-are-not-amused/1023323)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 128\ **Last updated:** [October 16, 2025, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-american-tourists-are-flagjacking-canadians-are-not-amused/1023323 "2025-10-16T20:07:01Z")
“Flagjacking” is the term used for American tourists who sew a Maple Leaf on their gear and pretend to be Canadians, to avoid the stigma of being an American abroad. The practice was common in the early 2000s, then decl… --- ## [Zodiac signs are 2000 years out of date!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zodiac-signs-are-2000-years-out-of-date/1022862)
**Author:** [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [October 16, 2025, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zodiac-signs-are-2000-years-out-of-date/1022862 "2025-10-16T13:30:58Z")
What’s your sign? No, it’s not. (Disclaimer: Your Z-sign’s effect on your daily life is your option. I make no judgements on the matter. Okay?) According to an article in the NYTimes, sign charts were set up 2000 years a… --- ## [Can you walk the whole length of the street you live on?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-walk-the-whole-length-of-the-street-you-live-on/1023068)
**Author:** [@Fair\_Rarity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fair_Rarity)\ **Replies:** 101\ **Last updated:** [October 15, 2025, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-walk-the-whole-length-of-the-street-you-live-on/1023068 "2025-10-15T22:17:16Z")
My street isn’t very long. When I walk around the neighborhood, I easily walk its entire length. It’s probably 1/4-1/3 of a mile. The last street I lived on was just as short, but there was a nasty hill down the other en… --- ## [When you encounter a Doper-ish term in the wild](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-you-encounter-a-doper-ish-term-in-the-wild/1023952)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [October 15, 2025, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-you-encounter-a-doper-ish-term-in-the-wild/1023952 "2025-10-15T16:24:07Z")
This is breaking local news on Facebook right now, and it looks like One Of Us got name-dropped in the comments. --- ## [Have you put up a sukkah this year?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-put-up-a-sukkah-this-year/1023761)
**Author:** [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [October 15, 2025, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-put-up-a-sukkah-this-year/1023761 "2025-10-15T01:30:46Z")
Yesterday was the start of the Jewish holiday of Sukkot, my wife’s favorite. It’s a harvest holiday in which observant Jews build a temporary hut (sukkah) outside their house and eat meals in it for the ten days of the h… --- ## [Glurgebots are invading (my local) Nextdoor website](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/glurgebots-are-invading-my-local-nextdoor-website/1023925)
**Author:** [@teelabrown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teelabrown)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2025, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/glurgebots-are-invading-my-local-nextdoor-website/1023925 "2025-10-14T19:36:37Z")
Since yesterday, there have been postings on Nextdoor from different “members” who just joined a few minutes prior. Each post is different, but there are great similarities. They’re glurgy, feel-good stories with bland… --- ## [When a character in my dream knows a solution, but I don't](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-a-character-in-my-dream-knows-a-solution-but-i-dont/1023824)
**Author:** [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2025, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-a-character-in-my-dream-knows-a-solution-but-i-dont/1023824 "2025-10-14T02:00:23Z")
I just find this very odd. This was a recent dream while I was sleeping. I was stuck without a car and was advised by a store owner to walk an (inconvenient) distance to the hotel. The worker there told me “he may hav… --- ## [What is the next language you want to learn and why?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-next-language-you-want-to-learn-and-why/1023784)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2025, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-next-language-you-want-to-learn-and-why/1023784 "2025-10-14T00:11:10Z")
Title phrased for all y’all polyglots. As for me, three years of French in school and I don’t know the language so I’m not bilingual. I’ve started learning Greek because if all of the stars align we would retire there.… --- ## [I sold a novel](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-sold-a-novel/1014647)
**Author:** [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2025, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-sold-a-novel/1014647 "2025-10-14T00:00:16Z")
My novel, The Cadaver Princess, will be published by Experimenter Publishing (Amazing Stories Books). I learned today that the cover will be done by award-winning artist Ron Miller. --- ## [2025 Nobel Prizes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2025-nobel-prizes/1023733)
**Author:** [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [October 13, 2025, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2025-nobel-prizes/1023733 "2025-10-13T23:19:12Z")
The 2025 Nobel prizes are coming out this week. Today the one in medicine was announced: There have been several exciting new drugs called checkpoint inhibitors in the last few years for which this research provided i… --- ## [Giant spiders are invading the Southeast {Joro Spiders}](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giant-spiders-are-invading-the-southeast-joro-spiders/960491)
**Author:** [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [October 13, 2025, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giant-spiders-are-invading-the-southeast-joro-spiders/960491 "2025-10-13T13:31:39Z")
Giant Joro spiders have invaded Alabama and are moving on to other states. The article says they’re venomous, but their fangs are small, they can’t penetrate human skin. --- ## [Death REALLY needs to take a holiday, damn it!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/death-really-needs-to-take-a-holiday-damn-it/1023905)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [October 13, 2025, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/death-really-needs-to-take-a-holiday-damn-it/1023905 "2025-10-13T12:24:02Z")
This coming weekend I am going to Orycon 45, the very last Orycon, where we are gathering the names of all those involved in this convention that have died over the years, the vast majority I have known quite well. In th… --- ## [(Old) Harvest Festival in the MMP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-harvest-festival-in-the-mmp/1023713)
**Author:** [@scareyfaerie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scareyfaerie)\ **Replies:** 294\ **Last updated:** [October 13, 2025, 7:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-harvest-festival-in-the-mmp/1023713 "2025-10-13T07:09:04Z")
Morning, mumpers! It’s currently 11c/53f with a predicted high of 18c/64f and mostly cloudy. Weather app says “Look on the bright side. It’s only fucking cloudy. At least you’re not on fire. That’s fucking good, rig… --- ## [My cat has been put to sleep, and it might be my fault](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-cat-has-been-put-to-sleep-and-it-might-be-my-fault/1023891)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [October 13, 2025, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-cat-has-been-put-to-sleep-and-it-might-be-my-fault/1023891 "2025-10-13T01:20:40Z")
He was walking in circles and behaving oddly, so my mom took him to the pet hospital. No issues, seemed fine so she went on a trip. Then I noticed he seemed dopey, and it got worse as time went on. He wasn’t eating, seem… --- ## [I don't need antiperspirant to last 72 hours (rant too mild for pit)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-need-antiperspirant-to-last-72-hours-rant-too-mild-for-pit/1023875)
**Author:** [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2025, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-need-antiperspirant-to-last-72-hours-rant-too-mild-for-pit/1023875 "2025-10-11T19:08:11Z")
There used to be deodorant/antiperspirant; then there were ‘24 hour’ offerings. Then it was 48 hours and now it’s 72. I don’t need it to last six times longer than the time until my next shower. Also I don’t even want … --- ## [Jack Links you dirty dogs!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jack-links-you-dirty-dogs/1023860)
**Author:** [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2025, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jack-links-you-dirty-dogs/1023860 "2025-10-11T15:53:05Z")
I ate lunch at a local sammich shop. It was a reuban. Very large. I only ate half. On the way over to my treatment my BG wasn’t hopping up like I needed it to. I was over excited because I had picked up a package I was… --- ## [50s/60/70s: What was it with kids' bedtimes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/50s-60-70s-what-was-it-with-kids-bedtimes/1023778)
**Author:** [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2025, 10:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/50s-60-70s-what-was-it-with-kids-bedtimes/1023778 "2025-10-11T10:16:17Z")
Like many kids, I had a bedtime. But I always found it to be absurdly early. I wasn’t tired, I wasn’t ready for bed, I’d go to bed at 7 pm or 8 pm as my parents demanded, and lie awake for hours (often until 11 pm) sta… --- ## [American Science and Surplus is dead. Suggestions?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-science-and-surplus-is-dead-suggestions/1023854)
**Author:** [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2025, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-science-and-surplus-is-dead-suggestions/1023854 "2025-10-10T23:42:55Z")
The much-beloved American Science And Surpus has closed it’s door, at least online, & maybe altogether. Can you Dopers suggest another, similar alternative? --- ## [Are you a Star Bellied Sneetch?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-a-star-bellied-sneetch/1000893)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2025, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-a-star-bellied-sneetch/1000893 "2025-10-10T22:28:10Z")
I am a star bellied sneetch. But I think it is genetic. --- ## [Ironic Mortgage Shuffle](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ironic-mortgage-shuffle/1023829)
**Author:** [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2025, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ironic-mortgage-shuffle/1023829 "2025-10-10T21:34:10Z")
My daughter recently got her first house and mortgage to go with it. She did business with Rocket Mortgage and had a good experience with them. Then of course inevitably her mortgage got sold to another company, so she… --- ## [Ass Gasket for real](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ass-gasket-for-real/1023847)
**Author:** [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2025, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ass-gasket-for-real/1023847 "2025-10-10T20:19:39Z")
I didn’t want to hijack and derail the current BBQ Pit thread with “assgasket” in the title … ( Because Some Assgaskets Will Get Pissed If I Bump the Thread (Update on 20 year old murder thread) ) … so I started this new… --- ## [Shrinking the US Military News Thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shrinking-the-us-military-news-thread/1023088)
**Author:** [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2025, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shrinking-the-us-military-news-thread/1023088 "2025-10-10T19:44:52Z")
Just posting news, tracking any sly efforts to reduce the headcount of the US military. Today’s is Troops with medical shaving waivers to face separation, Hegseth says Troops with beards will either need to leave the a… --- ## [Third interstellar body discovered in our solar system](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/third-interstellar-body-discovered-in-our-solar-system/1020471)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2025, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/third-interstellar-body-discovered-in-our-solar-system/1020471 "2025-10-10T19:21:15Z")
On July 1, the NASA-funded ATLAS (Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System) survey telescope in Rio Hurtado, Chile, first reported observations of a comet that originated from interstellar space. Arriving from the d… --- ## [Is my DNA scattered around the world? A pondering](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-my-dna-scattered-around-the-world-a-pondering/1023816)
**Author:** [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2025, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-my-dna-scattered-around-the-world-a-pondering/1023816 "2025-10-10T17:21:47Z")
Sometimes I have pondered whether my DNA might be found on continents east and west, hither and yon, from here to the back of beyond. My scenario is I scratch my head in an airport in Melbourne, or in Indonesia or Engla… --- ## [The night before Halloween](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-night-before-halloween/1023803)
**Author:** [@Mark\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mark_Finn)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2025, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-night-before-halloween/1023803 "2025-10-10T14:35:56Z")
In your area, what do/did you call the night before Halloween (when pranksters were often on the loose)? We called it “Mat Night” - residents were encouraged to bring their doormats inside, otherwise they would end up i… --- ## [Thoughts on "golfing index" on local paper's weather page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-on-golfing-index-on-local-papers-weather-page/1023417)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2025, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-on-golfing-index-on-local-papers-weather-page/1023417 "2025-10-10T12:31:40Z")
I live in the Chicago area and golf at least twice a week. We get a paper delivered - the Chicago Tribune. On its weather page, it prints daily golfing and fishing indexes, purportedly describing how good or bad the we… --- ## [2025 California Wildfire Season Has Begun](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2025-california-wildfire-season-has-begun/1012707)
**Author:** [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Replies:** 340\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2025, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2025-california-wildfire-season-has-begun/1012707 "2025-10-09T19:45:21Z")
Last year the thread didn’t start until June. Some trees and vegetation at the Getty Villa Museum have burned, but so far staff and the collection remain safe. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/miscellaneous-and-personal-stuff-i-must-share/10.md?page=40) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/miscellaneous-and-personal-stuff-i-must-share/10.md?page=42)