# Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/miscellaneous-and-personal-stuff-i-must-share/10.md?page=554 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 555 --- ## [Talk me into or out of this crazy idea (tax related)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/talk-me-into-or-out-of-this-crazy-idea-tax-related/783840)
**Author:** [@aktep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aktep)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [April 6, 2017, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/talk-me-into-or-out-of-this-crazy-idea-tax-related/783840 "2017-04-06T03:49:08Z")
So, due to a math error made last January, i find myself owing roughly $1000 in federal tax. I could pay it, but I also realized this crazy scheme is available - If I can take $6500 in deductions I can reduce my tax bi… --- ## [Arise, my cockroach legions!!!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arise-my-cockroach-legions/783720)
**Author:** [@JoseB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoseB)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [April 5, 2017, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arise-my-cockroach-legions/783720 "2017-04-05T20:10:04Z")
A student in Jiaotong University in Shanghai has done a research project wherein he can control the movement of a cockroach by means of a “brain-to-brain” (or “brain-to-ganglion cluster”) interface: The cockroach’s anten… --- ## [Anyone save their tax returns for a long time?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-save-their-tax-returns-for-a-long-time/783560)
**Author:** [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [April 5, 2017, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-save-their-tax-returns-for-a-long-time/783560 "2017-04-05T19:00:57Z")
I have all of mine, back to the mid 1960s. Each return in a manila envelope with all supporting documents. And my check registers but they only go back to 1984. I have been a researcher and historian for some time and a… --- ## [How'd you react if someone in your social circle was filming your bathroom & bedroom windows?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/howd-you-react-if-someone-in-your-social-circle-was-filming-your-bathroom-bedroom-windows/783810)
**Author:** [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [April 5, 2017, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/howd-you-react-if-someone-in-your-social-circle-was-filming-your-bathroom-bedroom-windows/783810 "2017-04-05T18:46:50Z")
Lets say a certain “doctor” moved into your neighborhood. Then, unbeknownst to you, he and his wife started filming through your bathroom windows, reporting on line as to ‘who drops what’? Assume this pervert is also a… --- ## [Ever had a really noisy neighbor?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-had-a-really-noisy-neighbor/783565)
**Author:** [@T-Minus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/T-Minus)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [April 5, 2017, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ever-had-a-really-noisy-neighbor/783565 "2017-04-05T18:07:32Z")
I have never experinced one up until now. It really doesn’t bother me, but what about you guys? --- ## [Second close call with a chainsaw in the last two weeks.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/second-close-call-with-a-chainsaw-in-the-last-two-weeks/783047)
**Author:** [@River\_Hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/River_Hippie)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [April 5, 2017, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/second-close-call-with-a-chainsaw-in-the-last-two-weeks/783047 "2017-04-05T17:43:25Z")
The first one was two weekends ago. I was cutting down a long dead ash tree. While I was making the final cut to drop the tree, a big chunk of bark fell off and was in the way. I took the saw in my left hand and reached… --- ## [Enjoy the restaurant freak out.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/enjoy-the-restaurant-freak-out/783519)
**Author:** [@Channing\_Idaho\_Banks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Channing_Idaho_Banks)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [April 5, 2017, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/enjoy-the-restaurant-freak-out/783519 "2017-04-05T16:50:16Z")
I hope you enjoy this video as much as I did. \[INDENT\] \[/INDENT\] How do people get this way? --- ## [Can I pay to talk to a tax guy even if we file our own through Turbo Tax?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-pay-to-talk-to-a-tax-guy-even-if-we-file-our-own-through-turbo-tax/783669)
**Author:** [@teela\_brown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teela_brown)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [April 5, 2017, 10:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-pay-to-talk-to-a-tax-guy-even-if-we-file-our-own-through-turbo-tax/783669 "2017-04-05T10:16:23Z")
We’ve filed through Turbo Tax for years, and we like them. However, we’re at the stage where I sometimes have questions on more complex issues and I want to talk to a real tax expert. Can I get piecemeal tax advice fro… --- ## [Uber Self-Driving Car Accident: Does Uber Understand Defensive Driving?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uber-self-driving-car-accident-does-uber-understand-defensive-driving/783430)
**Author:** [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [April 4, 2017, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uber-self-driving-car-accident-does-uber-understand-defensive-driving/783430 "2017-04-04T21:28:22Z")
A Uber self-driving car was recently involved in a left turn accident and the other driver (the one making the left turn) was judged to be at fault. However a detailed analysis suggests that the Uber self-driving car did… --- ## [Explosion in St. Petersburg (Russia) subway](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explosion-in-st-petersburg-russia-subway/783677)
**Author:** [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [April 4, 2017, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explosion-in-st-petersburg-russia-subway/783677 "2017-04-04T17:27:09Z")
I haven’t seen a thread on this yet. Here is NPR’s story. I am disturbed that the first thing I think of is that this could likely be a false flag operation, to distract the Russian public from such things as the recent… --- ## [A few days ago I was accused of putting my hands around a nurse's neck](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-few-days-ago-i-was-accused-of-putting-my-hands-around-a-nurses-neck/783383)
**Author:** [@SeniorCitizen007](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeniorCitizen007)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [April 4, 2017, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-few-days-ago-i-was-accused-of-putting-my-hands-around-a-nurses-neck/783383 "2017-04-04T03:39:43Z")
Dissatisfied with my doctor’s response to an acute medical condition that suddenley came upon me I went to my local hospital seeking to get a second opinion. I got into a verbal dispute with a nurse there before eventual… --- ## [I'm not superstitious but..............](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-superstitious-but/783585)
**Author:** [@DummyGladHands](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DummyGladHands)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [April 4, 2017, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-not-superstitious-but/783585 "2017-04-04T00:23:41Z")
I cannot bring myself to kill a cricket in the house. You? --- ## [Where ya gonna hang it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-ya-gonna-hang-it/783515)
**Author:** [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [April 3, 2017, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-ya-gonna-hang-it/783515 "2017-04-03T23:55:09Z")
Just announced, from Monoprice, the ultimate TV wall mount. I want one! Girl optional. --- ## [Extremely rare things that have happened to you ... twice.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/extremely-rare-things-that-have-happened-to-you-twice/782877)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [April 3, 2017, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/extremely-rare-things-that-have-happened-to-you-twice/782877 "2017-04-03T22:05:42Z")
I have hit a bird in flight with my car … twice I have been engaged to a woman before we went on out first date … twice. And no it was not mail-order brides or pre-arranged marriages. --- ## [A Descriptive MMP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-descriptive-mmp/783120)
**Author:** [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Replies:** 225\ **Last updated:** [April 3, 2017, 11:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-descriptive-mmp/783120 "2017-04-03T11:17:21Z")
This requires some background: back for their 50th wedding anniversary my parents went over to the Old Country so my Dad could get into the church records and research some things he couldn’t do by remote control through… --- ## [World-famous basket building for sale- Motivated seller!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-famous-basket-building-for-sale-motivated-seller/761026)
**Author:** [@davey77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davey77)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [April 3, 2017, 8:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-famous-basket-building-for-sale-motivated-seller/761026 "2017-04-03T08:33:58Z")
I searched the boards and was surprised to see the news might not have made it here, yet. The iconic Longaberger headquarters in Newark, Ohio is on the market! Employees have all moved to a different company facility a… --- ## [Removing a stuck ring](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-a-stuck-ring/783286)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [April 3, 2017, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-a-stuck-ring/783286 "2017-04-03T03:14:15Z")
Several weeks ago I was clearing away storm damage in the back yard. While tossing limbs in a brush pile, my wedding ring flew off. See, it was a size 9. It was rather tight, and there were days when my finger was get… --- ## [I start my chemotherapy tomorrow](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-start-my-chemotherapy-tomorrow/772099)
**Author:** [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Replies:** 105\ **Last updated:** [April 3, 2017, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-start-my-chemotherapy-tomorrow/772099 "2017-04-03T01:50:05Z")
This is not a cure; it’s a holding action. Some of you noticed in my hospital stay thread that I have been diagnosed with lung cancer. It’s spread to at least my liver. This is a very severe, very fast acting form of th… --- ## [I got a FedEx envelope with a check inside!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-a-fedex-envelope-with-a-check-inside/783379)
**Author:** [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [April 2, 2017, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-got-a-fedex-envelope-with-a-check-inside/783379 "2017-04-02T21:58:42Z")
There was a FedEx envelope outside my door the other day. I opened it up to find a check inside - WooHoo! The check was for… 3¢ --- ## [First it was Monopoly, then it was Crayola-When will this massacre end?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-it-was-monopoly-then-it-was-crayola-when-will-this-massacre-end/783250)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [April 2, 2017, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-it-was-monopoly-then-it-was-crayola-when-will-this-massacre-end/783250 "2017-04-02T17:34:52Z")
Crayola is permanently retiring one of the colors in the 24-count box. On March 31st, one of these colors- red, yellow, blue, brown, orange, green, violet, black, carnation pink, yellow orange, blue green, red violet, re… --- ## [Federal Judge rules civil action against Donald Trump for inciting violence can proceed](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/federal-judge-rules-civil-action-against-donald-trump-for-inciting-violence-can-proceed/783592)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [April 2, 2017, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/federal-judge-rules-civil-action-against-donald-trump-for-inciting-violence-can-proceed/783592 "2017-04-02T16:52:15Z")
News item that I haven’t seen mentioned anywhere: Judge to Trump: No protection for speech inciting violence. Of course, he’s probably just a “so-called Judge” so the Donald doesn’t have anything to worry about. … --- ## [Similar crimes..vastly different sentences..equal protection](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/similar-crimes-vastly-different-sentences-equal-protection/781886)
**Author:** [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [April 2, 2017, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/similar-crimes-vastly-different-sentences-equal-protection/781886 "2017-04-02T14:51:15Z")
I fear I know the answer to this question, but let’s say that in our fictional state, mopery is a crime punishable by ten years in prison. Further, the way the mopery law is written, the prosecution has discretion to ch… --- ## [Bridget Anne Kelly and Bill Baroni sentenced for Bridgegate](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bridget-anne-kelly-and-bill-baroni-sentenced-for-bridgegate/783312)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [April 2, 2017, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bridget-anne-kelly-and-bill-baroni-sentenced-for-bridgegate/783312 "2017-04-02T06:04:45Z")
I’m pleasantly surprised. There actually is a tiny bit of justice in dirty politics. Their boss got off scot-free but at least two of his cronies went down. Kelly got 18 months and a years probation Baroni 2 years, 50… --- ## [As God is my witness...\[dropping turkeys\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-god-is-my-witness-dropping-turkeys/767936)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [April 2, 2017, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-god-is-my-witness-dropping-turkeys/767936 "2017-04-02T02:33:41Z")
Throwing live turkeys from planes continues in the Ozarks. I agree with one commenter who suggested dropping frozen turkeys on the crowd. But that would violate FAR 91.15. (For planespotters, that’s a 1959 Cessna 182B… --- ## [Michael Flynn reportedly agrees to cooperate with FBI on Russia ties in exchange for immunity](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-flynn-reportedly-agrees-to-cooperate-with-fbi-on-russia-ties-in-exchange-for-immunity/783391)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [April 2, 2017, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-flynn-reportedly-agrees-to-cooperate-with-fbi-on-russia-ties-in-exchange-for-immunity/783391 "2017-04-02T02:31:54Z")
Neither mundane or pointless. http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/326639-flynn-offers-to-testify-on-russia-ties-in-exchange-for-immunity There have been so many false starts and dead ends in this administ… --- ## [Sea Otter Cam](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sea-otter-cam/783513)
**Author:** [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [April 1, 2017, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sea-otter-cam/783513 "2017-04-01T19:30:59Z")
Inspired by this thread. Sea Otter Cam in Moss Landing, CA (near Monterey) --- ## [My college mid life crisis](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-college-mid-life-crisis/783402)
**Author:** [@Mosier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mosier)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [April 1, 2017, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-college-mid-life-crisis/783402 "2017-04-01T19:14:25Z")
Here comes the condensed version of my life story. I fucked off in school, and barely limped across the finish line for my high school diploma, mostly because I had suckers for teachers who thought “potential” was just … --- ## [I'm calling because you took a cruise](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-calling-because-you-took-a-cruise/783259)
**Author:** [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Replies:** 85\ **Last updated:** [April 1, 2017, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-calling-because-you-took-a-cruise/783259 "2017-04-01T18:32:07Z")
The recorded voice on the phone exclaims, “Hi! I’m Tina, and I’m calling because you took a cruise with us…” I hang up and block the number at that point. Several times. Why the hell do they expect people to respond t… --- ## [Stupidest injury ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupidest-injury-ever/782909)
**Author:** [@D18](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D18)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [April 1, 2017, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupidest-injury-ever/782909 "2017-04-01T16:45:24Z")
I have got a nagging pain running up my giving-people-the-finger finger on my right hand. Near as I can figure, it is from using the trackpad on my MacBook. Mindless, pointless stuff I must share. --- ## [£446 richer than I thought I was](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/446-richer-than-i-thought-i-was/363604)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [April 1, 2017, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/446-richer-than-i-thought-i-was/363604 "2017-04-01T14:17:37Z")
Got a call from a friend. She said she had a large envelope that had been delivered to my old address in L.A. A little unusual, since my mail had been reliably forwarded to Washington. And this envelope was from the U… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/miscellaneous-and-personal-stuff-i-must-share/10.md?page=553) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/miscellaneous-and-personal-stuff-i-must-share/10.md?page=555)