# Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/miscellaneous-and-personal-stuff-i-must-share/10.md?page=668 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 669 --- ## [Good houseguest presents?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-houseguest-presents/742533)
**Author:** [@fisha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fisha)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2016, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-houseguest-presents/742533 "2016-01-11T14:14:28Z")
The 5/7 of us have been living with my mother-in-law for the last two months while we were remodeling our house. It’s gone surprisingly well ( I only made her cry once. (That I know of.)) Besides restocking all of the … --- ## [What is the largest lottery or other game win a Doper has had?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-largest-lottery-or-other-game-win-a-doper-has-had/742479)
**Author:** [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2016, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-largest-lottery-or-other-game-win-a-doper-has-had/742479 "2016-01-11T04:52:17Z")
Do we have any big winners here on the dope? Anyone won $1000? $10,000? $100,000? A million? Tell us about it. :slight\_smile: --- ## [Back to the grind in the MMP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-to-the-grind-in-the-mmp/742146)
**Author:** [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Replies:** 309\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2016, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-to-the-grind-in-the-mmp/742146 "2016-01-11T04:22:52Z")
OK, folks, holidays are over and life goes on. Back to work! No more lollygagging! Productivity in 2016!!! :smiley: Happy Moanday! --- ## [Nominations for Earth's stupidest man now being accepted.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nominations-for-earths-stupidest-man-now-being-accepted/741835)
**Author:** [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [January 10, 2016, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nominations-for-earths-stupidest-man-now-being-accepted/741835 "2016-01-10T18:26:47Z")
My candidate: a guy I know who cheated on his soon-to-be ex-wife with his son’s now-former girlfriend, told the wife everything, and was SHOCKED when the skank turned out to be uninterested in anything long-term, that hi… --- ## [How I cured my diabetes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-i-cured-my-diabetes/742594)
**Author:** [@NineToTheSky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NineToTheSky)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [January 10, 2016, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-i-cured-my-diabetes/742594 "2016-01-10T17:03:53Z")
I am 64. Four months ago I was, and had been for many years, obese, dependent on alcohol, suffering from depression, sedentary and had diabetes type 2. Due to those factors, making any changes was, I thought, nigh on imp… --- ## [Signatures \[SDMB\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signatures-sdmb/742028)
**Author:** [@DorkVader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DorkVader)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [January 10, 2016, 7:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signatures-sdmb/742028 "2016-01-10T07:09:13Z")
What does your signature say about you, or, what do you want it to say. Mine says (in my head anyway) that I think life is too sad and serious to not laugh at it, I am a bitter optimist, and I have a small plush Darth V… --- ## [Typical forum rules from 1996.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/typical-forum-rules-from-1996/742637)
**Author:** [@CCitizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CCitizen)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [January 10, 2016, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/typical-forum-rules-from-1996/742637 "2016-01-10T02:27:57Z")
Anyone can post – they do not have to register. They just type their name or it displays Anon. No moderation. Flame wars can rage for a long time. --- ## [A1C plummeted by 0.7 in one month for no reason](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a1c-plummeted-by-0-7-in-one-month-for-no-reason/742609)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 9, 2016, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a1c-plummeted-by-0-7-in-one-month-for-no-reason/742609 "2016-01-09T19:52:22Z")
My A1C was 5.8 when tested in November, 5.6 when tested in December, and 4.9 when tested in January. I have not made any diet, exercise or lifestyle changes. Is it actually possible for A1C to fall so steeply for no appa… --- ## [I was given a stern "talking to" this morning!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-given-a-stern-talking-to-this-morning/742434)
**Author:** [@Mona\_Lisa\_Simpson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mona_Lisa_Simpson)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [January 9, 2016, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-given-a-stern-talking-to-this-morning/742434 "2016-01-09T17:06:57Z")
While my 12 year old son was drinking his morning hot beverage and reading the stock indexes (Mom the TSE is down! So is New York!) I jumped out at him saying “En Garde!” with an 8 inch pepperoni stick destined for hi… --- ## [Fairy Tale Endings \[spoilers\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fairy-tale-endings-spoilers/742482)
**Author:** [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [January 9, 2016, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fairy-tale-endings-spoilers/742482 "2016-01-09T15:31:15Z")
The ending to The Girl Without Hands is as follows: Because of the garishness of the story, or something, I question if I really grasp what this story means. What does it mean, folks? --- ## [North Korea claims it has detonated a hydrogen bomb.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-korea-claims-it-has-detonated-a-hydrogen-bomb/742290)
**Author:** [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [January 9, 2016, 9:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-korea-claims-it-has-detonated-a-hydrogen-bomb/742290 "2016-01-09T09:07:00Z")
http://news.yahoo.com/n-korea-says-conducted-successful-hydrogen-bomb-test-033750240.html --- ## [Anti-Rape Activists Having a Hard Time Dating](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-rape-activists-having-a-hard-time-dating/736111)
**Author:** [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Replies:** 147\ **Last updated:** [January 9, 2016, 6:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-rape-activists-having-a-hard-time-dating/736111 "2016-01-09T06:05:44Z")
From New York Magazine: Hooking Up When You’re an Anti-Rape Activist At least one of them had a narrow escape … --- ## [How to raise non-consumerist kids](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-raise-non-consumerist-kids/742170)
**Author:** [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Replies:** 100\ **Last updated:** [January 9, 2016, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-raise-non-consumerist-kids/742170 "2016-01-09T03:36:49Z")
I was distressed when our son who is in 4th grade recently complained about the gray sweatshirt he received at Christmas. The problem? It did not have a ‘Puma’ logo on it! Apparently “everyone” at his elementary school o… --- ## [Magic! my eyesight improved for no reason.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/magic-my-eyesight-improved-for-no-reason/742258)
**Author:** [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [January 9, 2016, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/magic-my-eyesight-improved-for-no-reason/742258 "2016-01-09T03:22:47Z")
I had perfect vision for all my life…till age 40. Then, horrors! things started to change. I kept having to hold the printed page farther and farther and farther away…until my arms got too short. So, okay, I got me som… --- ## [What did I do to my car's transmission](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-i-do-to-my-cars-transmission/742224)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [January 9, 2016, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-i-do-to-my-cars-transmission/742224 "2016-01-09T03:21:58Z")
I drive a SmartCar - engine is in car’s rear. Last night, I switched from Reverse to Drive, and BAM, something feeling just like I backed into an object. (there were no such objects.) Did I do something to the transmiss… --- ## [Wow, this flashlight is \*bright\*!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-this-flashlight-is-bright/742391)
**Author:** [@Deeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Deeg)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [January 9, 2016, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-this-flashlight-is-bright/742391 "2016-01-09T03:02:40Z")
If I understand it correctly the Cree XM-L2 is currently the brightest mass-produced LED available. I just bought this flashlight for $10 and it is crazy bright. Unbelievable how cheap these superbright LEDs are. --- ## [Weird, irritating e-mail mistake](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-irritating-e-mail-mistake/742516)
**Author:** [@WF\_Tomba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WF_Tomba)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [January 9, 2016, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-irritating-e-mail-mistake/742516 "2016-01-09T02:30:55Z")
Last night, one of my friends sent out a group e-mail saying that another friend’s husband was gravely ill and in the hospital. Just now, I replied saying “I’m sorry to hear it” and offering my thoughts etc. At about th… --- ## [Leaving bathroom ventilation fan on for 2 months](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaving-bathroom-ventilation-fan-on-for-2-months/742447)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [January 9, 2016, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaving-bathroom-ventilation-fan-on-for-2-months/742447 "2016-01-09T00:34:54Z")
I’m traveling abroad soon. Could I leave the bathroom ventilation fan on for 2 months nonstop to keep air moving in the apartment, or would that wear out the blades? --- ## [Back on the Dope](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-on-the-dope/742460)
**Author:** [@prettydorky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/prettydorky)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2016, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-on-the-dope/742460 "2016-01-08T22:24:45Z")
Hi Everyone! I took a long hiatus from huge swaths of the internet recently, when my pregnancy got worrisome and then later after having a child with a rare and complex genetic syndrome. I just came back in earnest… --- ## [El Chapo has been caught, again](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/el-chapo-has-been-caught-again/742520)
**Author:** [@harmonicamoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/harmonicamoon)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2016, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/el-chapo-has-been-caught-again/742520 "2016-01-08T21:09:23Z")
What a life. Time for more tunnels. --- ## [Philadelphia building collapses](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philadelphia-building-collapses/660215)
**Author:** [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2016, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philadelphia-building-collapses/660215 "2016-01-08T20:11:18Z")
Story here, but there’s not much detail yet. People are trapped, 5 have been taken to hospitals, and there’s likely some dead. WTF? This sort of thing isn’t supposed to happen in the US. --- ## [Meeting son's boyfriend's family](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meeting-sons-boyfriends-family/742465)
**Author:** [@Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulf_the_Unwashed)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2016, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meeting-sons-boyfriends-family/742465 "2016-01-08T19:19:30Z")
Son and his boyfriend have been together for about two years now, and moved in together about a year ago. My wife and I have met boyfriend a couple of times (they live 800+ miles from us), and he seems great; they make a… --- ## [Need help finding switches/buttons like these:](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-finding-switches-buttons-like-these/742486)
**Author:** [@Vloshko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vloshko)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2016, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-help-finding-switches-buttons-like-these/742486 "2016-01-08T19:07:44Z")
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9nXkUdup30 In the above link, is an exact example of what I am looking for, however I would be okay with it saying things along the lines of: Eject Passenger, Machine gun, Flamethrower, … --- ## [Finally "The Straight Dope" name works in my favor!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finally-the-straight-dope-name-works-in-my-favor/742446)
**Author:** [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2016, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finally-the-straight-dope-name-works-in-my-favor/742446 "2016-01-08T16:36:54Z")
I love my internet friends here, and I talk about you guys all the time, but it’s always a bit awkward when I say the name. “The Straight Dope? Like Weed?” It was always hard to explain. Well that problem is no more b… --- ## [The "Smart Pills" Joke...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-smart-pills-joke/742402)
**Author:** [@Major\_Matt\_Mason](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Major_Matt_Mason)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2016, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-smart-pills-joke/742402 "2016-01-08T16:01:51Z")
I’m doing a survey. Are you familiar with this joke? Just answer yes or no, along with your age group and general geographic point of origin.\* The reason I ask is that I’m in the 45-54 age range, from Philadelphia origi… --- ## [What is up with cyclists?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-up-with-cyclists/732442)
**Author:** [@F.Pu-du-he-pa-as](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/F.Pu-du-he-pa-as)\ **Replies:** 111\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2016, 9:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-up-with-cyclists/732442 "2016-01-08T09:05:51Z")
Today, over the course of my walk home (Cambridge and Somerville, MA), I saw twelve-- TWELVE-- cyclists run red lights. For comparison, I only saw four cyclists not run red lights. I also saw one cyclist ride the wrong… --- ## [At the state line](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-the-state-line/742325)
**Author:** [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2016, 8:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-the-state-line/742325 "2016-01-08T08:29:20Z")
In days of yore when I was a kid, (before the advent of minivans with dvd players) when the family went on long car trips staying entertained was a real chore. True, asking “are we there yet” repeatedly might hasten arr… --- ## [A cat lover has to get rid of an unwanted aggressive stray](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-cat-lover-has-to-get-rid-of-an-unwanted-aggressive-stray/742006)
**Author:** [@DummyGladHands](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DummyGladHands)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2016, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-cat-lover-has-to-get-rid-of-an-unwanted-aggressive-stray/742006 "2016-01-08T06:17:53Z")
I have 2 rescues. One of them goes out, and please, no lectures. The other is tiny now, and tho’ we have no plans to let her out, shit happens. We’d like her to be as safe as possible. About 6 mos. ago an aggressive str… --- ## [Anyone with an Erdos number?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-with-an-erdos-number/634806)
**Author:** [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2016, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-with-an-erdos-number/634806 "2016-01-07T22:28:12Z")
This thread: http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=74048 made we wonder if anyone else here has an Erdos number (see Erdős number - Wikipedia for explanation). Mine is 2. I read somewhere that the larges… --- ## [New York Public Library opens digital public domain collection](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-york-public-library-opens-digital-public-domain-collection/742435)
**Author:** [@Edward\_The\_Head](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Edward_The_Head)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2016, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-york-public-library-opens-digital-public-domain-collection/742435 "2016-01-07T20:40:29Z")
This is pretty sweet if you like looking at old photos, maps, papers and even a game of floor plans for buildings in NYC, and all of it in public domain that you can now download and use. You can look through all the st… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/miscellaneous-and-personal-stuff-i-must-share/10.md?page=667) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/miscellaneous-and-personal-stuff-i-must-share/10.md?page=669)