# Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/miscellaneous-and-personal-stuff-i-must-share/10.md?page=562 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 563 --- ## [Is it so uncommon to have a strict grocery budget?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-so-uncommon-to-have-a-strict-grocery-budget/780463)
**Author:** [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Replies:** 161\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2017, 6:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-so-uncommon-to-have-a-strict-grocery-budget/780463 "2017-03-05T06:33:57Z")
I got that impression after mentioning something on social media that my family does this. I knew there were lots of people who just shop for what they are out of, at whatever cost; and even people who just throw whateve… --- ## [This weather is sapping all my productivity.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-weather-is-sapping-all-my-productivity/781425)
**Author:** [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [March 4, 2017, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-weather-is-sapping-all-my-productivity/781425 "2017-03-04T20:48:07Z")
What a useless weekend. In a normal year early March is one of my more productive times. I’m usually fairly ambitious on the weekends, finishing up my inside projects, in preparation for outside projects season. But the … --- ## [Ideas for my shop's short story](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ideas-for-my-shops-short-story/781368)
**Author:** [@misterlucas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/misterlucas)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 4, 2017, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ideas-for-my-shops-short-story/781368 "2017-03-04T18:27:49Z")
Hello everyone, I am coming with this thread just to see other persons ideas and write a great description for my new shop. My new shop will be exclusively for men ( accessories - ties , pocket squares , bowties and br… --- ## [The Rise of the Weaponized AI Propaganda Machine](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-rise-of-the-weaponized-ai-propaganda-machine/780235)
**Author:** [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [March 4, 2017, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-rise-of-the-weaponized-ai-propaganda-machine/780235 "2017-03-04T16:51:05Z")
The claim is that a company named Cambridge Analytica helped Trump win the election by mass psychological manipulation via things like fake news and individually targeted FB posts based on information about individuals g… --- ## [I needed a new home office chair, I went cheap, and man I regret it already. Recommendations?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-needed-a-new-home-office-chair-i-went-cheap-and-man-i-regret-it-already-recommendations/639186)
**Author:** [@GameHat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GameHat)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [March 4, 2017, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-needed-a-new-home-office-chair-i-went-cheap-and-man-i-regret-it-already-recommendations/639186 "2017-03-04T16:48:47Z")
Old one was literally in pieces, needed a new one. Went to Best Buy today, and the cheapest model (Cheap model) since I figured anything would be better than my old busted thing. They didn’t have a test model out, but … --- ## [Climate change and other weirdness.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/climate-change-and-other-weirdness/781280)
**Author:** [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 4, 2017, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/climate-change-and-other-weirdness/781280 "2017-03-04T16:08:48Z")
We’re at that time of the year, where I live, one minute it’s still winter, the next day is almost spring. I am prone to headaches and this seasonal shift is always kind of brutal, as is the onset of autumn. It usually m… --- ## [Pastor livid after donations in his name to Planned Parenthood](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pastor-livid-after-donations-in-his-name-to-planned-parenthood/781155)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [March 4, 2017, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pastor-livid-after-donations-in-his-name-to-planned-parenthood/781155 "2017-03-04T15:54:42Z")
Link Good. People are turning his hatred into a Good Thing. Hm. Sounds like he doesn’t like Muslims much either. (I know he said ‘radical’, but IME people like him don’t like any of them.) Maybe someone should do… --- ## [Trumpism: the new Punk Rock](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumpism-the-new-punk-rock/781228)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [March 4, 2017, 11:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumpism-the-new-punk-rock/781228 "2017-03-04T11:59:30Z")
I think this article from The Week magazine can be enjoyed by those on both side of the political divide, though I may be wrong. It half-seriously compares the Trump phenomenon to the Punk Rock era. I see where he’s co… --- ## [Tiling your floor with pennies.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tiling-your-floor-with-pennies/781085)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [March 4, 2017, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tiling-your-floor-with-pennies/781085 "2017-03-04T04:03:50Z")
Pennies make a great floor tiling. Costs about $2 to $3 a sq foot. Depends on how many pennies you use in the design. I’m thinking about doing my family room floor. A few designs https://goo.gl/images/Oq51mc https://… --- ## [I've Never Believed in Psychics....](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-never-believed-in-psychics/781346)
**Author:** [@TonySinclair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TonySinclair)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 4, 2017, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-never-believed-in-psychics/781346 "2017-03-04T01:11:01Z")
… but I would start, if you could find one who predicted, say 20 years ago, that President Donald Trump would be taking heat from Senator Al Franken. --- ## ["Smart Condom" to measure sex parameters](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smart-condom-to-measure-sex-parameters/781316)
**Author:** [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [March 4, 2017, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smart-condom-to-measure-sex-parameters/781316 "2017-03-04T00:59:39Z")
Actually, a “smart cock ring”, apparently, but I guess that’s harder to put in a headline. They think it’ll go for $75 I suspect these will sell for bragging rights. And we’ll see lots of people hacking the website t… --- ## [Trump at dinner - an interesting vignette on the private Trump you don't see](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-at-dinner-an-interesting-vignette-on-the-private-trump-you-dont-see/780996)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [March 3, 2017, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-at-dinner-an-interesting-vignette-on-the-private-trump-you-dont-see/780996 "2017-03-03T22:54:11Z")
Politics aside I found this quite interesting to read re all the prep that goes into a President dining out. Inside Trump’s Secret Dinner: A Side of the President You Don’t Ever See --- ## [In a Past Life, Sean Spicer was the Easter Bunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-a-past-life-sean-spicer-was-the-easter-bunny/781283)
**Author:** [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [March 3, 2017, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-a-past-life-sean-spicer-was-the-easter-bunny/781283 "2017-03-03T22:17:34Z")
Headline of an entry in the Huffington Post. In A Past Life, Sean Spicer Was The Easter Bunny | HuffPost Latest News? I foresee a lot of late night commenting about this. --- ## [Did Rick Santorum just make the news...?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-rick-santorum-just-make-the-news/781317)
**Author:** [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [March 3, 2017, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-rick-santorum-just-make-the-news/781317 "2017-03-03T20:39:49Z")
I just saw this article about a man caught on video wanted for a crime in Fredericksburg, VA. Cite After I looked at the video, I couldn’t help but think, “Doesn’t that guy look so much like Rick Santorum?” The descri… --- ## [How to poke your Smart TV in the eye](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-poke-your-smart-tv-in-the-eye/779479)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [March 3, 2017, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-poke-your-smart-tv-in-the-eye/779479 "2017-03-03T18:33:35Z")
In this story it was reported that Vizio televisions had/have the ability to spy on it’s viewers, and the company both used and sold this information. Well, apparently there is a way to disable this “feature” on Vizio s… --- ## [Beau Biden's Widow in Relationship with his Brother](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beau-bidens-widow-in-relationship-with-his-brother/781138)
**Author:** [@SaharaTea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SaharaTea)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [March 3, 2017, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beau-bidens-widow-in-relationship-with-his-brother/781138 "2017-03-03T18:01:34Z")
The widow of Joe Biden’s deceased son Beau has reportedly begun a romantic relationship with Beau’s married brother Hunter. Beau passed away in May 2015. Hunter and his wife separated in October 2015. They have five c… --- ## [The Police State arrives... in the West Wing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-police-state-arrives-in-the-west-wing/780917)
**Author:** [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [March 3, 2017, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-police-state-arrives-in-the-west-wing/780917 "2017-03-03T17:43:35Z")
So I guess Sean-baby Spicer has discovered his staff leaks like a sieve, so he has implemented draconian security procedures including random phone checks on staffers, overseen by White House attorneys. I’d say the noti… --- ## [Ambian effects](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ambian-effects/781019)
**Author:** [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [March 3, 2017, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ambian-effects/781019 "2017-03-03T12:26:06Z")
I’m trying to get to sleep so I’ve taken an Ambien but nothing has worked yet. I am getting weird visual effects, like seeing 3D depth effects with only one eye open, the text on the cover of a book floating left and rig… --- ## ["Welcome to our 'ool - you'll notice there's no "P" in it"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/welcome-to-our-ool-youll-notice-theres-no-p-in-it/781217)
**Author:** [@Soylent\_Juicy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Soylent_Juicy)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [March 3, 2017, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/welcome-to-our-ool-youll-notice-theres-no-p-in-it/781217 "2017-03-03T04:54:42Z")
Lol yes there is. TL;DR: Researchers find large traces of urine in swimming pools. Okay 'fess up: who here has ever pee’d in a swimming pool? --- ## [And now for some literal news fluff](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-now-for-some-literal-news-fluff/781243)
**Author:** [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 3, 2017, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-now-for-some-literal-news-fluff/781243 "2017-03-03T03:59:57Z")
This will probably be the most disgustingly cute thing you see all day: Daddy loves his little kitties. :smiley: --- ## [Daughter writes brutally honest obituary about her deceased father](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daughter-writes-brutally-honest-obituary-about-her-deceased-father/779786)
**Author:** [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2017, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daughter-writes-brutally-honest-obituary-about-her-deceased-father/779786 "2017-03-02T22:43:26Z")
I’ve definitely seen obits that said this between the lines, and others where I knew that the “devoted spouse/friend/parent” etc. thing was a bunch of crap. I also remember a similar story a few years ago that also we… --- ## [Is anybody SAD?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-anybody-sad/780999)
**Author:** [@Fruitbat2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fruitbat2)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2017, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-anybody-sad/780999 "2017-03-02T22:12:59Z")
I really hate winter and I don’t even live where it gets cold-cold. Everything is too dark, brown and gray blah. So this year I thought I’d finally beat the winter blahs, whether you’d call it depression or just not see… --- ## [How do you say Happy St David's Day in Welsh?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-say-happy-st-davids-day-in-welsh/781104)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2017, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-say-happy-st-davids-day-in-welsh/781104 "2017-03-02T21:56:44Z")
In any event, have some Welsh cakes! --- ## [How your bung vision can fix your bunged back!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-your-bung-vision-can-fix-your-bunged-back/781092)
**Author:** [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2017, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-your-bung-vision-can-fix-your-bunged-back/781092 "2017-03-02T21:30:03Z")
I have a very bad back (2 x herniated discs, spinal stenosis etc), lotsa pain and movement difficulties. I also have lotsa eye issues, which of late have needed regular prednisolone drops to reduce swelling in the back … --- ## [Rethinking this online shopping thing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rethinking-this-online-shopping-thing/781126)
**Author:** [@pohjonen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pohjonen)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2017, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rethinking-this-online-shopping-thing/781126 "2017-03-02T20:20:48Z")
I am having my first (and probably last) Ebay purchase experience. I bought a used guitar amplifier last Friday, paid for it immediately, it has an “estimated arrival date” of tomorrow, and I cannot pry any shipping info… --- ## [Too soon](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/too-soon/781212)
**Author:** [@Folacin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folacin)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2017, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/too-soon/781212 "2017-03-02T19:07:14Z")
Just received a LinkedIn email advertising an IT position at Garmin in Kansas City. My immediate thought was “I think I know what caused that vacancy . . .” Then I felt bad. --- ## [Why are drones so ugly?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-drones-so-ugly/781071)
**Author:** [@WildBlueYonder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildBlueYonder)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2017, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-drones-so-ugly/781071 "2017-03-02T19:05:09Z")
I just dont see why they cant be more “space age” looking :smiley: If they looked more like a flying saucer we could report more alien aircraft! :wink: If they looked like missiles, we might have to take cover!! Build … --- ## [Do you massage your gums?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-massage-your-gums/781018)
**Author:** [@Fruitbat2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fruitbat2)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2017, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-massage-your-gums/781018 "2017-03-02T18:17:37Z")
(to help prevent gum pockets). A dentist told me to do this decades ago and I do, and it works. But I have never heard anyone else mention it. --- ## [What Happened on Morning Joe Thursday?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-on-morning-joe-thursday/780686)
**Author:** [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2017, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-on-morning-joe-thursday/780686 "2017-03-02T14:07:00Z")
I do not watch TV. I listen to audio podcasts of TV. TV, it turns out makes passable radio. Add to that my lack of people skills and your understand my confusion. Yesterday on Morning Joe, Scarborough went on a long ran… --- ## [Station of the Cross 2b -- Jesuis Rides the Escalator](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/station-of-the-cross-2b-jesuis-rides-the-escalator/781188)
**Author:** [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2017, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/station-of-the-cross-2b-jesuis-rides-the-escalator/781188 "2017-03-02T12:13:48Z")
This Jesus Needs A Minor Miracle To Ride An Escalator | HuffPost Weird News? Watch out for the ceiling. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/miscellaneous-and-personal-stuff-i-must-share/10.md?page=561) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/miscellaneous-and-personal-stuff-i-must-share/10.md?page=563)