# Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/miscellaneous-and-personal-stuff-i-must-share/10.md?page=424 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 425 --- ## [Just paid off my mortgage!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-paid-off-my-mortgage/826449)
**Author:** [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2018, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-paid-off-my-mortgage/826449 "2018-12-22T18:53:39Z")
Finally, after 15 years, my farmis paid off. I just bought a new (used) car, but I’ll pay that off in a trice. I have a rental property, but the rent is approximately half of that mortgage (the other have is paying for t… --- ## [I gotta stop googling medical stuff](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-gotta-stop-googling-medical-stuff/826504)
**Author:** [@AngelSoft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AngelSoft)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2018, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-gotta-stop-googling-medical-stuff/826504 "2018-12-22T18:23:19Z")
I really need to stop doing this. Especially right before a long weekend. I went and saw a cardiologist yesterday. Years ago I had an ‘echo’? done and it showed that there was something off with my heart but not so much … --- ## [I drove my Mini Cooper through 4" of water](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-drove-my-mini-cooper-through-4-of-water/318682)
**Author:** [@Lillith\_Fair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lillith_Fair)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2018, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-drove-my-mini-cooper-through-4-of-water/318682 "2018-12-22T17:23:31Z")
I did it on Saturday late afternoon right after a major storm. Well, it didn’t seem that deep to me. I thought it would be fine. But the car stalled. And was not to start again. Now guess what? I have to get a new … --- ## [Steal copper and have sex](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steal-copper-and-have-sex/826496)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2018, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steal-copper-and-have-sex/826496 "2018-12-22T17:20:51Z")
In a twist ending to a mine rescue that didn’t captivate the world, the four rescuees have been determined to have gone into the mine to steal copper wiring and to join the Mile Low Club. For one of the guys, it wasn’t h… --- ## [The days are getting longer...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-days-are-getting-longer/826512)
**Author:** [@ticker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ticker)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2018, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-days-are-getting-longer/826512 "2018-12-22T15:30:00Z")
The winter solstice was at 22:23 UTC. The run in to summer has begun :). I think I can feel it getting warmer already (though there is just a chance I may be imagining it). Happy thoughts people. --- ## [It's dawn - at 8.50 am](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-dawn-at-8-50-am/826422)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2018, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-dawn-at-8-50-am/826422 "2018-12-22T14:57:43Z")
I can just see the Sun starting to peep over the horizon. --- ## [Cool mousetrap made from actual Mouse Trap game.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cool-mousetrap-made-from-actual-mouse-trap-game/826525)
**Author:** [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2018, 10:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cool-mousetrap-made-from-actual-mouse-trap-game/826525 "2018-12-22T10:32:37Z")
Shawn Woods, one of my favorite YouTubers, posted a video of a mousetrap he made out of the classic board game, Mouse Trap. Here it is in action. Safe for work and for the squeamish. It is a humane live catch trap and n… --- ## [My kitty is sick (kidney failure) and I need advice](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-kitty-is-sick-kidney-failure-and-i-need-advice/826337)
**Author:** [@Infovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Infovore)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2018, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-kitty-is-sick-kidney-failure-and-i-need-advice/826337 "2018-12-22T05:54:46Z")
Last friday, my little 13-year-old Russian Blue, Grace, wasn’t acting like herself, so I took her to the vet. They ran some tests and found out she was in severe kidney failure. They advised keeping her at the hospital a… --- ## [Happy solstice, all!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-solstice-all/826489)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2018, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-solstice-all/826489 "2018-12-22T03:49:26Z")
Tis the reason for the season! :wink: I’m always thrilled by the fact that, no matter how much cold and snow is ahead, the days will start getting longer from now. --- ## [Every time I see Ruth Bader Ginsburg's name in the news, I am scared.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/every-time-i-see-ruth-bader-ginsburgs-name-in-the-news-i-am-scared/824195)
**Author:** [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2018, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/every-time-i-see-ruth-bader-ginsburgs-name-in-the-news-i-am-scared/824195 "2018-12-21T19:55:39Z")
She fell and broke 3 ribs and is in the hospital. I hope for a full and speedy recovery. She is 85 but actually in very good health otherwise. Please don’t retire until the next President is sworn in at least. Give us 2… --- ## [Obama plays Santa at childrens' hospital](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-plays-santa-at-childrens-hospital/826452)
**Author:** [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2018, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-plays-santa-at-childrens-hospital/826452 "2018-12-21T17:25:53Z")
Okay, he really hasn’t got the figure and his disguise was minimal but the Guardian has a nice article here on Obama setting the right example. Keep up the good work, sir! --- ## [Ever pulled the wrong plug or pushed the wrong button with the eventual 'Ahhh" moment after?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-pulled-the-wrong-plug-or-pushed-the-wrong-button-with-the-eventual-ahhh-moment-after/826467)
**Author:** [@lingyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lingyi)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2018, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-pulled-the-wrong-plug-or-pushed-the-wrong-button-with-the-eventual-ahhh-moment-after/826467 "2018-12-21T16:39:21Z")
So this morning before I went to work I unplugged one of my TVs to take with me. Fast forward to after work and I come home to…dead monitor, the main one of two. No problem, I have a spare, but don’t feel up to swapping … --- ## [So I heard a meteor last night (Minnesota)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-heard-a-meteor-last-night-minnesota/826459)
**Author:** [@JohnGalt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnGalt)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2018, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-heard-a-meteor-last-night-minnesota/826459 "2018-12-21T04:28:00Z")
I was binge watching Netflix last night since I didn’t have to get up early (The Sinner if anyone cares). I got to bed about 2:00 AM and was just falling asleep when at 2:10 I heard what I thought was thunder. It was lig… --- ## [Gifts for lefthanders](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gifts-for-lefthanders/826351)
**Author:** [@lisiate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lisiate)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2018, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gifts-for-lefthanders/826351 "2018-12-21T00:15:42Z")
My four year-old son is left-handed. His kindy teachers have suggested some left-handed scissors would be a good thing to get him. What other items would the sinister dopers recommend? --- ## [Apparently, Denorex shampoo kills head lice](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apparently-denorex-shampoo-kills-head-lice/260142)
**Author:** [@norinew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/norinew)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2018, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apparently-denorex-shampoo-kills-head-lice/260142 "2018-12-20T22:49:09Z")
We’ve been fighting the head lice battle for a couple of months now. OTC lice treatments didn’t work. Prescription lice treatment didn’t work. Ditto mayonnaise. In desparation, I was researching on the 'net to try and fi… --- ## [Man translates holy books into DNA and injects it into himself](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-translates-holy-books-into-dna-and-injects-it-into-himself/826368)
**Author:** [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2018, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-translates-holy-books-into-dna-and-injects-it-into-himself/826368 "2018-12-20T22:35:45Z")
This is insane. He had no idea what kinds of proteins these new genes might make. --- ## [What old technology won't you give up](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-old-technology-wont-you-give-up/821811)
**Author:** [@PoppaSan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PoppaSan)\ **Replies:** 172\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2018, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-old-technology-wont-you-give-up/821811 "2018-12-20T22:17:16Z")
or are sorry you did? For me it is my Walkman radio. I wore one out about three years ago after 25 years. Found they still offered something similar. Wife keeps getting me the FM tuner in the MP3 player stuff but it … --- ## [Golden Girls Chia Pets? Is this for real?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/golden-girls-chia-pets-is-this-for-real/826402)
**Author:** [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2018, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/golden-girls-chia-pets-is-this-for-real/826402 "2018-12-20T19:37:19Z")
Watching Jeopardy, and on comes an ad for Golden Girls Chia Pets (Bob Ross, Too!). I thought it was a gag. :confused: Sadly, its not: https://chia.com/chia-golden-girls/ :smack: --- ## [This Networking Stuff is HARD](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-networking-stuff-is-hard/826349)
**Author:** [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2018, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-networking-stuff-is-hard/826349 "2018-12-20T19:31:45Z")
Piggybacking off my resume thread (the resume is off for final review, so keep your fingers crossed) I have been networking. As an introvert, this is EXHAUSTING. When they say introverts get their batteries recharged w… --- ## [Active Shooter Drill Fail](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/active-shooter-drill-fail/826432)
**Author:** [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2018, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/active-shooter-drill-fail/826432 "2018-12-20T19:26:04Z")
\*\*“The 88th Air Base Wing at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio held an active shooter drill at the same time the 88th Medical Group was holding a separate mass casualty drill, but neither event was being coord… --- ## [Any interest in an Atlanta Dopefest this summer?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-interest-in-an-atlanta-dopefest-this-summer/361744)
**Author:** [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Replies:** 127\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2018, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-interest-in-an-atlanta-dopefest-this-summer/361744 "2018-12-20T18:04:01Z")
Would anybody be interested in coming to a Dopefest somewhere in the Atlanta area this summer? I can make it on most Sundays and it’s a pretty good central point for GA/AL/assorted Dopers. --- ## [Currently Active Straight Dope Fundraisers (GoFundMe...)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/currently-active-straight-dope-fundraisers-gofundme/826409)
**Author:** [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2018, 11:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/currently-active-straight-dope-fundraisers-gofundme/826409 "2018-12-20T11:49:02Z")
From time to time a Doper in a bad situation does a fundraiser–GoFundMe, etc. I imagine a number are still currently active. It’s possible there are some Dopers who might wish to contribute now because they are in the … --- ## [Comet 46P/Wirtanen](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comet-46p-wirtanen/826345)
**Author:** [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2018, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comet-46p-wirtanen/826345 "2018-12-20T05:47:02Z")
Tried to see this comet last night. It is really frustrating for a lot of reasons. The “guides” to spotting it are often terrible. I looked at several dozen such guides and they generally have “helpful” info like righ… --- ## [What, there's no constipation thread yet?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-theres-no-constipation-thread-yet/826197)
**Author:** [@That\_Don\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/That_Don_Guy)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2018, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-theres-no-constipation-thread-yet/826197 "2018-12-20T03:07:53Z")
There seems to be a thread for pretty much everything else medical (I can’t count the number of colonoscopy threads), but I couldn’t find one for this. I shouldn’t have to say this, but there’s a “possible TMI” alert. A… --- ## [What is the rationale for Driving with Measurable Amount laws for those under 21](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-rationale-for-driving-with-measurable-amount-laws-for-those-under-21/826242)
**Author:** [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2018, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-rationale-for-driving-with-measurable-amount-laws-for-those-under-21/826242 "2018-12-20T00:08:32Z")
Maybe it is because of the holidays, but I am seeing an increase in clients charged with Driving with a Measurable Amount of Alcohol Laws. Basically, those laws state that anyone under age 21 who drives with a measurabl… --- ## [Large stash of cocaine found in cruise ship. Septuagenarians arrested.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/large-stash-of-cocaine-found-in-cruise-ship-septuagenarians-arrested/826382)
**Author:** [@JoseB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoseB)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2018, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/large-stash-of-cocaine-found-in-cruise-ship-septuagenarians-arrested/826382 "2018-12-19T22:14:13Z")
An elderly British couple in their 70s has been arrested on drug charges in Portugal after a “large amount of cocaine” was found in their cabin. The senior citizens were in the “Marco Polo” cruise ship, on their way bac… --- ## [the mess in Syria is about to get messier](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-mess-in-syria-is-about-to-get-messier/807835)
**Author:** [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Replies:** 107\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2018, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-mess-in-syria-is-about-to-get-messier/807835 "2018-12-19T21:55:44Z")
Syria is already a fairly convoluted conflict, with all sorts of competing alliances and conflicting interests. Recently, Turkey launched an offensive into northern Syria aimed at the Kurds. Now, they’re moving towards t… --- ## [Weird Coincidence](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-coincidence/826326)
**Author:** [@FloatyGimpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FloatyGimpy)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2018, 11:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-coincidence/826326 "2018-12-19T11:53:56Z")
When I woke up a few minutes ago I had that song stuck in my head from Sharon, Lois and Braum “Skinna marinky dinky dink”. I don’t think I’ve heard anything about them in many years. My phone just buzzed with a news stor… --- ## [Christmas Creatures Causing Confusion](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-creatures-causing-confusion/826321)
**Author:** [@Dendarii\_Dame](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dendarii_Dame)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2018, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-creatures-causing-confusion/826321 "2018-12-19T06:20:24Z")
Last week, I was entering my house in the evening. Turns out a bird was sitting on the front door’s Christmas wreath. As I opened the door, it woke up and started flying around and around the porch light until it flew of… --- ## [Point Break Your Neck](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/point-break-your-neck/826310)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2018, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/point-break-your-neck/826310 "2018-12-18T23:19:50Z")
Not satisfied with wildfires, California is now expecting waves up to fifty feet. Living on the East coast, my idea of a big wave is more like five feet (and I’ve been to areas where they approach five inches.) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/miscellaneous-and-personal-stuff-i-must-share/10.md?page=423) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/miscellaneous-and-personal-stuff-i-must-share/10.md?page=425)