# Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/miscellaneous-and-personal-stuff-i-must-share/10.md?page=423 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 424 --- ## [Christmas has nothing to do with ancient Roman holidays](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-has-nothing-to-do-with-ancient-roman-holidays/826672)
**Author:** [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2018, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-has-nothing-to-do-with-ancient-roman-holidays/826672 "2018-12-26T19:11:01Z")
I saw a History Channel special and again they repeated that old canard that Dec 25 was chosen to compete with Saturnalia, or was it Mithras or Sol Invictus? Actually, it was none of them. No doubt Christianity has had … --- ## [Crowd-sourcing breaching the border wall](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crowd-sourcing-breaching-the-border-wall/826744)
**Author:** [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2018, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crowd-sourcing-breaching-the-border-wall/826744 "2018-12-26T17:56:49Z")
I am going to run in the Spartan race in February. For anyone who is unfamiliar with it, it’s an obstacle course race, with, among other things, walls. I was thinking that they should add Donnie’s “beaded curtain” wall t… --- ## [It's Xmas day and.....I superglued myself to the kitchen timer.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-xmas-day-and-i-superglued-myself-to-the-kitchen-timer/826681)
**Author:** [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2018, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-xmas-day-and-i-superglued-myself-to-the-kitchen-timer/826681 "2018-12-26T02:25:59Z")
Inevitably. The magnet came off the back and, well, you can guess the rest. I did get the timer off me (or me off the timer, depending whose side you’re on) but in the process I glued kitchen towel all over my fingers, … --- ## [Did Mnuchin’s call to the banks today remind anyone else of this?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-mnuchin-s-call-to-the-banks-today-remind-anyone-else-of-this/826636)
**Author:** [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2018, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-mnuchin-s-call-to-the-banks-today-remind-anyone-else-of-this/826636 "2018-12-26T00:34:45Z")
\[Chip Diller, anyone?\](Animal House - All Is Well! - YouTube Animal House - All Is Well! - YouTube) --- ## [Chinese scientists turn copper into "gold".](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chinese-scientists-turn-copper-into-gold/826695)
**Author:** [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2018, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chinese-scientists-turn-copper-into-gold/826695 "2018-12-25T22:43:08Z")
Can someone explain this to me? Have they created a new copper isotope or what? --- ## [Who remembers phone numbers? WORST XMAS EVAH!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-remembers-phone-numbers-worst-xmas-evah/826666)
**Author:** [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2018, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-remembers-phone-numbers-worst-xmas-evah/826666 "2018-12-25T21:22:40Z")
When your daughter and grandkids are due by 10am, but no phone call to pick them up from the station, and the hours go by, and you start panicking that something really awful has happened and you try ringing other contac… --- ## [Have You Had a Package Stolen?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-had-a-package-stolen/826347)
**Author:** [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2018, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-had-a-package-stolen/826347 "2018-12-25T04:27:04Z")
Once again, I am unable to figure out how to put in a poll. But there is a lot of discussion around the web right now about people having packages stolen from the front of their house. How common is that? Has it happene… --- ## [Publisher's Clearing House](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/publishers-clearing-house/826652)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2018, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/publishers-clearing-house/826652 "2018-12-25T03:45:56Z")
Mrs. L.A. entered a Publisher’s Clearing House sweepstakes. After decades of ignoring them, I thought ‘What they hell,’ and entered myself. Sometimes I get tired of endlessly playing Sudoku, and their ‘games’ are mildly… --- ## [Santa gets clearance from ATC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/santa-gets-clearance-from-atc/826660)
**Author:** [@Terminus\_Est](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terminus_Est)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2018, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/santa-gets-clearance-from-atc/826660 "2018-12-25T02:34:03Z")
Merry Christmas, everybody! --- ## [Random Voice Chat w/ Flip-Phone?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-voice-chat-w-flip-phone/826508)
**Author:** [@MortSahlFan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MortSahlFan)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2018, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/random-voice-chat-w-flip-phone/826508 "2018-12-24T19:26:21Z")
I love love love message boards, but sometimes it’s nice to converse by phone. I have a regular phone, no apps… Or, something online… but not chatroulette or sites like that which are a waste of time. Thanks! --- ## [Another Indonesian tsunami](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-indonesian-tsunami/826569)
**Author:** [@teela\_brown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teela_brown)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2018, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-indonesian-tsunami/826569 "2018-12-24T17:52:06Z")
This one was without warning. They think it was due to a submarine landslide caused Krakatoa erupting. It was near Java and Sumatra. Many people dead, many people missing. Here’s a link - can’t block and embed links … --- ## [Twas the Week Before Christmas and All Thru the MMP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twas-the-week-before-christmas-and-all-thru-the-mmp/826263)
**Author:** [@Sahirrnee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sahirrnee)\ **Replies:** 191\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2018, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twas-the-week-before-christmas-and-all-thru-the-mmp/826263 "2018-12-24T17:26:01Z")
Happy Moonday! It’s a clear 39 degrees outside. Hopefully no more rain for a bit. Supposed to be windy with a high of 46. I woke too early, around 4:30. I couldn’t get back to sleep so here I am. I can’t believe it’s… --- ## [Long time member, infrequent poster rjk has died.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/long-time-member-infrequent-poster-rjk-has-died/824755)
**Author:** [@Zyada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyada)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2018, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/long-time-member-infrequent-poster-rjk-has-died/824755 "2018-12-24T16:14:06Z")
I don’t know how many people here will know him, but he did post here. We met on this board in 2000, at the first Vegas Dopefest. He embodied much of what is good on this board - intelligent, a wide variety of interest… --- ## [A former NASA engineer creates a glitter- and stink-bomb trap for package thieves](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-former-nasa-engineer-creates-a-glitter-and-stink-bomb-trap-for-package-thieves/826342)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2018, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-former-nasa-engineer-creates-a-glitter-and-stink-bomb-trap-for-package-thieves/826342 "2018-12-24T14:18:02Z")
The second video here - WELL worth a look: Former NASA engineer creates glitter bomb trap for package thieves | CNN Serves 'em right, sez I! --- ## [My name is Padeye, and I'm a slut (of sorts)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-name-is-padeye-and-im-a-slut-of-sorts/133260)
**Author:** [@Padeye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Padeye)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2018, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-name-is-padeye-and-im-a-slut-of-sorts/133260 "2018-12-24T13:44:33Z")
Not in the traditional sense of the word, I’m a kitchen gadget slut. I didn’t think my problem was severe, some Calphalon pots and pans, a potato ricer, stuff like that. Non-gimmicky for the most part like Chicago cutl… --- ## [Your local, unknown tourist attraction.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-local-unknown-tourist-attraction/826493)
**Author:** [@vperry1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vperry1)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2018, 11:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-local-unknown-tourist-attraction/826493 "2018-12-24T11:41:05Z")
I recently saw a post asking about tourist attractions in your city/town that you’ve never visited. It basically implied famous attractions. My question is aimed towards attractions that local residents take pride in an… --- ## [Wild Mynas, Parrots (and other talking birds)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wild-mynas-parrots-and-other-talking-birds/826543)
**Author:** [@Carryon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carryon)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2018, 9:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wild-mynas-parrots-and-other-talking-birds/826543 "2018-12-24T09:29:54Z")
I was wondering if anyone lives or has lived where birds known to mimic human speech live wild? My question ism do they pick up human speech in the wild? I assume there is a time when the birds are young, when say a myn… --- ## [Direct retail site search, back to my email - how did they do that?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/direct-retail-site-search-back-to-my-email-how-did-they-do-that/826355)
**Author:** [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2018, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/direct-retail-site-search-back-to-my-email-how-did-they-do-that/826355 "2018-12-24T04:34:56Z")
I did a google search for Michaels (art supplies), clicked on their general link, and searched for something. I also clicked on several of the items in the resulting list, still on the Michaels site, to see if they met m… --- ## [Kid's "Potions" kit ingredient ideas? Safe but interesting stuff](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kids-potions-kit-ingredient-ideas-safe-but-interesting-stuff/816624)
**Author:** [@emmaliminal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emmaliminal)\ **Replies:** 83\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2018, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kids-potions-kit-ingredient-ideas-safe-but-interesting-stuff/816624 "2018-12-24T03:13:17Z")
For two and a half years now, I’ve been adding to my son’s Potions Kit (think Harry Potter). He loves this thing and plays with it all the time, especially with one of his neighborhood friends. It originally consisted of… --- ## [Assembly question on bar cart. Help!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assembly-question-on-bar-cart-help/826468)
**Author:** [@nelliebly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nelliebly)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2018, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assembly-question-on-bar-cart-help/826468 "2018-12-24T03:02:55Z")
I suck at assembly. Totally inept. But I needed a cart for my wine and spirits, as my kitchen cabinet needs to hold other things. The cart I ordered from Amazon was supposed to be “easy assembly,” and that’s what all the… --- ## [Supreme Court rejects review of asylum ban](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supreme-court-rejects-review-of-asylum-ban/826511)
**Author:** [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2018, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supreme-court-rejects-review-of-asylum-ban/826511 "2018-12-24T02:54:16Z")
Roberts sides with four liberals. Kavanaugh, Alito, Gorsuch, and Thomas dissent. Why can’t we pick reliable Justices? O’Connor, Kennedy, Souter, and now Roberts. Those are four picks we had and wasted. The Dems hav… --- ## [Do you give your pets gifts at Christmas?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-give-your-pets-gifts-at-christmas/826526)
**Author:** [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2018, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-give-your-pets-gifts-at-christmas/826526 "2018-12-23T20:24:20Z")
I do. This year, my cats will get treats, but they will also get toys that will (hopefully) let them get some exercise without shredding my hands. I’m looking forward to seeing how they like their new toys. Do you giv… --- ## [fake news, this time out of Germany](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fake-news-this-time-out-of-germany/826499)
**Author:** [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2018, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fake-news-this-time-out-of-germany/826499 "2018-12-23T17:42:45Z")
Der Spiegel’s first-class faker Apparently made-up stories about rednecks in rural America were too delicious for the culturally-superior editors and fact-checkers to pass up. The real moral of the story, not just for … --- ## [Time for a new desktop. Should I have ordered more RAM?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-for-a-new-desktop-should-i-have-ordered-more-ram/825817)
**Author:** [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2018, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-for-a-new-desktop-should-i-have-ordered-more-ram/825817 "2018-12-23T17:10:21Z")
I’ve been upgrading my current system since 2011. It finally gave out on me. It hasn’t successfully turned on since I unpacked it from the move. I keep getting a hardware error. Something on the motherboard probably burn… --- ## [When you realize you have it made](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-you-realize-you-have-it-made/826407)
**Author:** [@Spud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spud)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2018, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-you-realize-you-have-it-made/826407 "2018-12-23T13:36:54Z")
I went to the fridge to refresh my drink, and grabbed some ice. I saw that there was something on one of the ice cubes and tried to grab it but no luck… it somehow slipped away. I just tossed out the entire glass of ice … --- ## [Alarming data -- for you, though, missing the mark](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alarming-data-for-you-though-missing-the-mark/826420)
**Author:** [@Sangahyando](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sangahyando)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2018, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alarming-data-for-you-though-missing-the-mark/826420 "2018-12-23T12:31:56Z")
This prompted by a post on another current MPSIMS thread, in which the poster expresses surprise at the amount of stored wrapping-paper which they found was in their possession. A UK conservation group has estimated – a… --- ## [It's been blowing since Tuesday](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-been-blowing-since-tuesday/826155)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2018, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-been-blowing-since-tuesday/826155 "2018-12-23T05:35:29Z")
‘The wind blew, the shit flew, and there stood \[name\].’ Tuesday was a commuting day, 115 miles from our house to Seattle. I left before 0530 and was getting blown all over the road. It was blowing Wednesday. And yest… --- ## [Christmas fun with Alexa - try this!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-fun-with-alexa-try-this/826537)
**Author:** [@Isosleepy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isosleepy)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2018, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-fun-with-alexa-try-this/826537 "2018-12-23T00:22:55Z")
For some surrealism in your holiday, ask Alexa to play german christmas music. No idea what causes this. --- ## [Tornado Touches Down West of Seattle](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tornado-touches-down-west-of-seattle/826350)
**Author:** [@Hopeful\_Crow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hopeful_Crow)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2018, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tornado-touches-down-west-of-seattle/826350 "2018-12-22T21:59:34Z")
Though it was on the ground in the Port Orchard area for around a minute, it did a lot of damage. One house lost its entire roof and nearby houses lost parts of theirs. There are a lot of large trees that came down or … --- ## [If You Come to Springfield, Illinois to See the Lincoln Sites](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-come-to-springfield-illinois-to-see-the-lincoln-sites/373846)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2018, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-come-to-springfield-illinois-to-see-the-lincoln-sites/373846 "2018-12-22T19:16:33Z")
A word of advice for those of you who may decide to come to beautiful :rolleyes: Springfield, Illinois to see the Lincoln sites: Many people come to town and head straight for the Lincoln Library. They dutifully follow… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/miscellaneous-and-personal-stuff-i-must-share/10.md?page=422) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/miscellaneous-and-personal-stuff-i-must-share/10.md?page=424)