# Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/miscellaneous-and-personal-stuff-i-must-share/10.md?page=58 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 59 --- ## [An Amazon Bellyache, too weak for the Pit](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-amazon-bellyache-too-weak-for-the-pit/1019072)
**Author:** [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [June 2, 2025, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-amazon-bellyache-too-weak-for-the-pit/1019072 "2025-06-02T23:32:35Z")
In the last 14 days, Amazon has screwed-up delivery on 8 items. Everything was fine, on the 15th. Then, POW! They can’t find their own left foot, now, much less my address. Blew the latest delivery three time. I’ve … --- ## [Do professional, non state affiliated assassins really exist?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-professional-non-state-affiliated-assassins-really-exist/1013402)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [June 2, 2025, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-professional-non-state-affiliated-assassins-really-exist/1013402 "2025-06-02T20:43:57Z")
Talk elsewhere about the Boeing whistleblower death got me thinking. Suppose you’re a CEO who wants someone dead badly enough. I know you can hire some guy off the streets for cash and drugs. I know governments have hug… --- ## [Former student makes good!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-student-makes-good/1019093)
**Author:** [@Kropotkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kropotkin)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [June 2, 2025, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-student-makes-good/1019093 "2025-06-02T17:22:19Z")
Today I learned that someone I taught as an undergraduate in a first year survey course years ago was just promoted to associate professor. We have kept in touch and it was a treat to learn this. --- ## [Shameless gofundme plug](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shameless-gofundme-plug/1018353)
**Author:** [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [June 2, 2025, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shameless-gofundme-plug/1018353 "2025-06-02T16:28:36Z")
I have the mods permission to post this. It will also explain why I’ve had ebikes on the mind so much, because cars have been causing me grief like I could go on about for days, but I won’t. I really seriously am thinki… --- ## [Oldest North American footprints found](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oldest-north-american-footprints-found/1019056)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [June 2, 2025, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oldest-north-american-footprints-found/1019056 "2025-06-02T14:50:45Z")
Researchers in New Mexico have found a series of footprints dating back around 23,000 years; oldest date yet for humans in North America. --- ## [(Old) White Out! The Official Start Of Summer MMP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-white-out-the-official-start-of-summer-mmp/1018806)
**Author:** [@dogbutler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dogbutler)\ **Replies:** 323\ **Last updated:** [June 2, 2025, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-white-out-the-official-start-of-summer-mmp/1018806 "2025-06-02T12:41:34Z")
OK, you can pull out your white pants, togas, and repurposed wedding dresses. Of course, that means a lot of the pools are now officially open. So what are we doing today? Or just hijack. I don’t care, I’m not your su… --- ## [Swiss village destroyed by landslide; climate change likely culprit](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/swiss-village-destroyed-by-landslide-climate-change-likely-culprit/1019052)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [June 2, 2025, 10:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/swiss-village-destroyed-by-landslide-climate-change-likely-culprit/1019052 "2025-06-02T10:35:23Z")
Swiss village was evacuated because of danger signs noted by scientists. Evacuation was seen as a precautionary measure. On Wednesday, village was destroyed by a terrible landslide. BBC article with embedded videos: … --- ## [Anyone else find eye exams mildly stressful?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-find-eye-exams-mildly-stressful/996806)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 81\ **Last updated:** [June 1, 2025, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-find-eye-exams-mildly-stressful/996806 "2025-06-01T13:44:19Z")
Going to the eye doctor today. I always find vision exams a tad stressful. Is THIS better than THAT? I DUNNO! THEY LOK THE SAME! I think a part of it is from when I was a student, and was always good at tests. A pa… --- ## [Q for weight lifters](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/q-for-weight-lifters/1019033)
**Author:** [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [June 1, 2025, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/q-for-weight-lifters/1019033 "2025-06-01T03:12:17Z")
I’m just starting hormone depravation therapy for prostate cancer. There may be many side effects including weight gain, muscle loss and loss of bone density. The best way to prevent these things is through exercise in g… --- ## [New STEM Lab Complete!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stem-lab-complete/1019008)
**Author:** [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [June 1, 2025, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stem-lab-complete/1019008 "2025-06-01T00:01:46Z")
On this, the last day of school, the constructors have completed our new state of the art STEM lab. My God, it is fabulous! I can’t believe that a K-8 school district has something this revved up, but we do! If they p… --- ## [Oldest fingerprint found](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oldest-fingerprint-found/1018967)
**Author:** [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [May 31, 2025, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oldest-fingerprint-found/1018967 "2025-05-31T13:26:51Z")
… and it’s from a Neanderthal. Seems to be a deliberate add-on to make a rock that looks kinda like a face look more like a face. So a definite understanding of symbolism. Couple of questions immediately spring to mi… --- ## [Picking up strangers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/picking-up-strangers/1018872)
**Author:** [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [May 30, 2025, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/picking-up-strangers/1018872 "2025-05-30T16:50:08Z")
Or maybe, being picked up by strangers. I had a slightly weird experience this evening. I’m in Göttingen, as a convenient place to spend the night en route to a square dance event. I’m on my own, because my husband does… --- ## [Belgium and Dutch competing for wind](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/belgium-and-dutch-competing-for-wind/1018905)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [May 29, 2025, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/belgium-and-dutch-competing-for-wind/1018905 "2025-05-29T15:06:24Z")
The headline here seems to be exaggerated, but it’s probably a real issue: there must be only so many optimal places for wind farms. --- ## [Hey kids! Wanna learn geopolitics with cute cartoons?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-kids-wanna-learn-geopolitics-with-cute-cartoons/1018948)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [May 29, 2025, 10:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-kids-wanna-learn-geopolitics-with-cute-cartoons/1018948 "2025-05-29T10:15:57Z")
Sure you do! And your buddies Lil’ Putin, Lil’ Elon, Lil’ Erdogan, and Lil’ Trump will help you learn! All provided by our friends the Russians! --- ## [Have you ever been attacked by a random stranger? Any attempted attacks?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-been-attacked-by-a-random-stranger-any-attempted-attacks/1018672)
**Author:** [@MW\_Degen\_Gamblr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MW_Degen_Gamblr)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [May 28, 2025, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-been-attacked-by-a-random-stranger-any-attempted-attacks/1018672 "2025-05-28T22:21:15Z")
Attempted. Because of my dumbass friends. About a decade ago we went to a Shakesphere in the Park kind of thing. It actually wasn’t SITP, but something similar. It was an outdoor performance, audience spread out in pic… --- ## [There's Treasure Inside - Discussion And Ideas](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theres-treasure-inside-discussion-and-ideas/1018861)
**Author:** [@IMadeLem0nade](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IMadeLem0nade)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [May 28, 2025, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theres-treasure-inside-discussion-and-ideas/1018861 "2025-05-28T19:46:45Z")
Honestly I just want to discuss possible locations of the treasure in the book by author Jon Collins Black titled “There’s Treasure Inside” Please share any ideas you have --- ## [Unwanted Brand “Extensions”](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unwanted-brand-extensions/1018544)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 84\ **Last updated:** [May 28, 2025, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unwanted-brand-extensions/1018544 "2025-05-28T01:04:10Z")
It’s pretty obvious many well known brands, things like Oreo and Triscuits, put out many variations that take up a lot of supermarket shelf space (which they probably pay for) and presumably have niche customers. These … --- ## [Flying cats and no news is good news](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flying-cats-and-no-news-is-good-news/1018778)
**Author:** [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [May 27, 2025, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flying-cats-and-no-news-is-good-news/1018778 "2025-05-27T20:49:25Z")
Lazing around on my bed with my newspapers spread out. I’m reading the littles(I call it) Tossing garbage pages as I go. I have a small Amazon box beside the bed. Meeko the cat loves this “game” Its a “if I fits, I sit… --- ## [Are these nice places? (NY Post lists 12 “most affordable” US beach towns)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-nice-places-ny-post-lists-12-most-affordable-us-beach-towns/1018797)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [May 27, 2025, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-nice-places-ny-post-lists-12-most-affordable-us-beach-towns/1018797 "2025-05-27T20:11:46Z")
Today’s NY Post listed affordable beach towns, shown in this graphic. Made me wonder if these are nice places in the opinion of Dopers. I’ve never been to any of them and know little about most. Canada still has some … --- ## [The VW Volkswagon Emissions Scandal - longer and deeper than first thought](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-vw-volkswagon-emissions-scandal-longer-and-deeper-than-first-thought/740063)
**Author:** [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Replies:** 99\ **Last updated:** [May 27, 2025, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-vw-volkswagon-emissions-scandal-longer-and-deeper-than-first-thought/740063 "2025-05-27T13:42:50Z")
Previous thread on the VW scandal: The next big automotive scandal? - Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share - Straight Dope Message Board Starting a new thread to get the VW name in the title and to provide thi… --- ## [Do you know anyone who doesn't use cell phones, laptops, or any devices (in 2025)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-anyone-who-doesnt-use-cell-phones-laptops-or-any-devices-in-2025/1018123)
**Author:** [@sta3535](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sta3535)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [May 27, 2025, 11:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-know-anyone-who-doesnt-use-cell-phones-laptops-or-any-devices-in-2025/1018123 "2025-05-27T11:14:08Z")
Even though technology has its pros and cons, I’ve only met one person around my age (27) who doesn’t own a cell phone. I met him at my current job, since he used to work once or twice a week (as a dishwasher) in between… --- ## [We got'sch PUPPIES!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-gotsch-puppies/959574)
**Author:** [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Replies:** 169\ **Last updated:** [May 27, 2025, 8:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-gotsch-puppies/959574 "2025-05-27T08:51:02Z")
How about five Samoyed puppies (four girls and one boy), less than a week old, for your viewing delight? Their mother is Noel, Daystar’s Christmas Surprise, so named because she was born on something like December 22, t… --- ## [Russian Orthodox churches are attracting guys in search of “manliness”](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russian-orthodox-churches-are-attracting-guys-in-search-of-manliness/1018763)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [May 27, 2025, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russian-orthodox-churches-are-attracting-guys-in-search-of-manliness/1018763 "2025-05-27T01:32:04Z")
It seems that if you have such a yawning gulf of insecurity about being “manly” that you would devote yourself to a new religion, perhaps therapy would be a better fit? And of course a healthy dose of sympathy for Putin.… --- ## [Would you drive the Weinermobile?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-drive-the-weinermobile/995850)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 91\ **Last updated:** [May 26, 2025, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-drive-the-weinermobile/995850 "2025-05-26T22:09:30Z")
It doesn’t sound like a terrible deal for a summer or two, but it might be lonely. Maybe it would look weird on a resume, though. --- ## [Help me solve a family mystery!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-solve-a-family-mystery/1018712)
**Author:** [@X.L.Lent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/X.L.Lent)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [May 26, 2025, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-solve-a-family-mystery/1018712 "2025-05-26T20:20:51Z")
I’ve started to look into an old family mystery. Nearly a century ago my grandfather’s sister was murdered. The story is that she was “murdered by her boyfriend”. We have been able to find out that she was married at… --- ## [(Old) How would you start the MMP...?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-how-would-you-start-the-mmp/1018536)
**Author:** [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Replies:** 306\ **Last updated:** [May 26, 2025, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-how-would-you-start-the-mmp/1018536 "2025-05-26T19:53:34Z")
I’ve been sitting here for the last 20 minutes trying to come up with a clever topic, as if that matters. So I gave up and just started. Surely someone here has a better idea? Happy Moanday! ETA: Happy taters Day!!! --- ## [Sometimes you don't need words to figure out what's going on](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sometimes-you-dont-need-words-to-figure-out-whats-going-on/1018824)
**Author:** [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [May 26, 2025, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sometimes-you-dont-need-words-to-figure-out-whats-going-on/1018824 "2025-05-26T18:19:09Z")
This morning a moving van pulled into one of our neighbor’s driveway. This was surprising at first, because there’d been no talk about them moving (and there’s always talk), plus no “For Sale” sign or open house or peop… --- ## [How bout we fight a tiny bit of ignorance by correcting apostrophized decades?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-bout-we-fight-a-tiny-bit-of-ignorance-by-correcting-apostrophized-decades/1018720)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [May 26, 2025, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-bout-we-fight-a-tiny-bit-of-ignorance-by-correcting-apostrophized-decades/1018720 "2025-05-26T04:12:32Z")
Probably one of my pet - and petty - peeves, but it bugs me when I see people write decades with apostrophes - a la “the 50’s.” Just saw it in a FQ thread about the lost colony - and see it frequently. In a board suppo… --- ## [Bad, bad, bad day at the Farm store](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-bad-bad-day-at-the-farm-store/1018491)
**Author:** [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [May 25, 2025, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-bad-bad-day-at-the-farm-store/1018491 "2025-05-25T22:05:17Z")
Mr. Wrekker needed some junk of some sort (I swear he goes there for fun), from this store. Luckily, as you’ll see Son-of-a-wrek, rides along. Think Tractor-supply type place. Big box. Lots of aisles with fun things… --- ## [Denmark finds unknown components in imported tech](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/denmark-finds-unknown-components-in-imported-tech/1018790)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [May 25, 2025, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/denmark-finds-unknown-components-in-imported-tech/1018790 "2025-05-25T21:56:45Z")
Maybe it’s nothing and they’re just being paranoid-accusing China of sneaking some kind of boobytrap into the country without evidence seems unwise (and obviously they haven’t done anything like that yet). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/miscellaneous-and-personal-stuff-i-must-share/10.md?page=57) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/miscellaneous-and-personal-stuff-i-must-share/10.md?page=59)