# Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/miscellaneous-and-personal-stuff-i-must-share/10.md?page=759 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 760 --- ## [27 year old kitty, happy birthday.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/27-year-old-kitty-happy-birthday/714945)
**Author:** [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 14, 2015, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/27-year-old-kitty-happy-birthday/714945 "2015-03-14T14:24:34Z")
Tiffany, the oldest kitty in the world, (per Guinness) turned 27 today. Happy birthday Tiffany. --- ## [Early aviation, a love triangle, deaths and a crash](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/early-aviation-a-love-triangle-deaths-and-a-crash/714926)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [March 14, 2015, 9:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/early-aviation-a-love-triangle-deaths-and-a-crash/714926 "2015-03-14T09:52:40Z")
This showed up in my inbox today. A documentary called The Lost Aviator has been made, about Bill Lancaster. Lancaster was the great-uncle of the filmmaker. In a nutshell, Bill Lancaster was an Englishman who emigrate… --- ## [influenza](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/influenza/714665)
**Author:** [@DorkVader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DorkVader)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [March 14, 2015, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/influenza/714665 "2015-03-14T05:39:48Z")
This started last Thursday at 5:00 am sharp when I woke to start the day, my life has been a little pocket universe of misery and hell. I am one of those individuals that Mother Nature (that green bitch) has deemed to b… --- ## [Hole In The Wall (Long, and possibly obscenely offensive)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hole-in-the-wall-long-and-possibly-obscenely-offensive/714551)
**Author:** [@Master\_Wang-Ka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Master_Wang-Ka)\ **Replies:** 100\ **Last updated:** [March 14, 2015, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hole-in-the-wall-long-and-possibly-obscenely-offensive/714551 "2015-03-14T04:09:26Z")
“Another one got rowdy last night,” Winnie said. “Made trouble?” I replied, eating my cereal. “Are you okay?” said Max. “Fine,” said Winnie, “but I’m getting tired of Friday and Saturday nights at work after the damn … --- ## [Long, Wordy and Boring](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/long-wordy-and-boring/714892)
**Author:** [@Master\_Wang-Ka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Master_Wang-Ka)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [March 14, 2015, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/long-wordy-and-boring/714892 "2015-03-14T00:58:58Z")
So Clothahump paid me a very sweet compliment over in another thread. And while my ego is fed for yet another day, I am deeply humbled at the number of very nice things many people have said to me. So I’m gonna keep thi… --- ## [Ebola survivor Nina Pham is suing Texas Presbyterian](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebola-survivor-nina-pham-is-suing-texas-presbyterian/714053)
**Author:** [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [March 13, 2015, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebola-survivor-nina-pham-is-suing-texas-presbyterian/714053 "2015-03-13T22:27:44Z")
Just the fact that the hospital violated her privacy - she didn’t want her name released and thought she hadn’t authorized it - should make this one a slam-dunk case. I for one hope it is, and that she never has to wo… --- ## [Tattoo appointment!!!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tattoo-appointment/710598)
**Author:** [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [March 13, 2015, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tattoo-appointment/710598 "2015-03-13T20:28:47Z")
I have many tattoos dating back many decades. None were ever really planned, each just happened when the time was right. My current tattoo guy is an artist who tattoos. I was looking at Facebook the other day and saw so… --- ## [Bomb sniffing elephants](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bomb-sniffing-elephants/714819)
**Author:** [@DrumBum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrumBum)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [March 13, 2015, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bomb-sniffing-elephants/714819 "2015-03-13T17:44:29Z")
Some researchers in South Africa are looking into the use of elephants to detect the presence of explosive devices. Evidently the big nose of an elephant is comparable to dogs in its ability to detect explosive material … --- ## [I'm increasingly intolerant of superstition](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-increasingly-intolerant-of-superstition/714823)
**Author:** [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [March 13, 2015, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-increasingly-intolerant-of-superstition/714823 "2015-03-13T16:18:39Z")
Recent examples – My mother-in-law sent my kids home from a visit with a dreamcatcher after hearing about their nightmares. (Not for nothing, but said dreamcatcher was covered in glitter. Thanks ma.) My oldest told m… --- ## [House for Sale, Bride Included](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-for-sale-bride-included/714797)
**Author:** [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [March 13, 2015, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-for-sale-bride-included/714797 "2015-03-13T15:57:51Z")
A 40-year-old widow and beauty-shop owner in Sleman, Indonesia is offering to sell her house for the equivalent of US$75,000. And as a sweetener, you can marry her too. Sleman is near Yogyakarta (those Ys are pronounced… --- ## [Search Committee Follies](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/search-committee-follies/710289)
**Author:** [@Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulf_the_Unwashed)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [March 13, 2015, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/search-committee-follies/710289 "2015-03-13T15:50:15Z")
I am on a Search Committee. Applications closed last week, and yesterday we sat down together to trim our list of twenty-odd names to an even dozen whom we’ll plan to interview. (A preliminary interview, after which we’l… --- ## [Powdered alcohol](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/powdered-alcohol/714758)
**Author:** [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [March 13, 2015, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/powdered-alcohol/714758 "2015-03-13T14:02:52Z")
Link. I’m not usually one of the “Ban it!” brigade, but this is a product that needs to be suppressed with Extreme Prejudice. Is there any product that could be more abused? I’m sure the Teeming Masses can come up with s… --- ## [Believing in ghosts](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/believing-in-ghosts/714753)
**Author:** [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [March 13, 2015, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/believing-in-ghosts/714753 "2015-03-13T13:50:17Z")
Every once in a while, I encounter something that makes me understand why some people sincerely believe in ghosts and the like. One end of my basement studio/office is a workshop, mostly separated by a hard wall but wit… --- ## [My brother died, and my feelings are more complex than I expected.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-died-and-my-feelings-are-more-complex-than-i-expected/714638)
**Author:** [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [March 13, 2015, 11:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brother-died-and-my-feelings-are-more-complex-than-i-expected/714638 "2015-03-13T11:58:03Z")
I have–had–two brothers, both older than I. It’s the oldest brother to whom I refer. I have rarely if ever mentioned the one closer in age to me, because while he’s a fine fellow – reliable, honest, hardworking, a good s… --- ## [Put your first name into Google; how far do you have to go before you don't recognise the person?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/put-your-first-name-into-google-how-far-do-you-have-to-go-before-you-dont-recognise-the-person/713004)
**Author:** [@SciFiSam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SciFiSam)\ **Replies:** 83\ **Last updated:** [March 13, 2015, 8:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/put-your-first-name-into-google-how-far-do-you-have-to-go-before-you-dont-recognise-the-person/713004 "2015-03-13T08:34:34Z")
I tried with Samantha. The first was Samantha Fox (I’m using Google in the UK) and I definitely know her. The second was Samantha Ponder, who appears to be a sports presenter on US TV. Didn’t take long. Samantha must be… --- ## [Is there a word for using actions that no longer exist?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-word-for-using-actions-that-no-longer-exist/714709)
**Author:** [@funky\_little\_lee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/funky_little_lee)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [March 13, 2015, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-word-for-using-actions-that-no-longer-exist/714709 "2015-03-13T04:15:19Z")
I know that title isn’t too clear, but I couldn’t think how else to word it. On the whiteboard at work is a message: IF YOU NEED TO CALL IN SICK, DIAL 222 TO ACCESS BOB’S VOICEMAIL. So, nowadays (unless you’re my paren… --- ## [Spacing Out Off Planet](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spacing-out-off-planet/714266)
**Author:** [@halman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/halman)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [March 13, 2015, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spacing-out-off-planet/714266 "2015-03-13T03:03:56Z")
For some reason I cannot explain very well, I believe that humans need to expand the sphere of their activities beyond planet Earth. Earth should be an industrial free zone, where people can walk under the sky without s… --- ## [Risk of being murdered quiz](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/risk-of-being-murdered-quiz/714755)
**Author:** [@Hermitian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hermitian)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [March 13, 2015, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/risk-of-being-murdered-quiz/714755 "2015-03-13T00:26:00Z")
I was looking for a quiz that might asses my risk of being murdered. Why? Oh, no reason, I was just up early this morning thinking about it. Considering that: I don’t go to bars, I live in the suburbs, I don’t have a fi… --- ## [Gambling proposition](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gambling-proposition/714430)
**Author:** [@Donnerwetter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Donnerwetter)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [March 12, 2015, 8:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gambling-proposition/714430 "2015-03-12T08:36:02Z")
This is a (hypothetical) question for those of you who are usually not into gambling. Let’s say somebody made the following proposition: There will be a coin toss. Your stake is $100. If head comes up, you lose your $100… --- ## [What a Maroon!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-a-maroon/714613)
**Author:** [@stillownedbysetters](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stillownedbysetters)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [March 12, 2015, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-a-maroon/714613 "2015-03-12T00:27:59Z")
I was having a high brow literary discussion (not!) at dinner last night with a friend. We were discussing Bugs Bunny’s favorite perjorative - “What a maroon!” We realized neither of us had a clue if that was a real ex… --- ## [Koch brother files brief in support of gay marriage](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/koch-brother-files-brief-in-support-of-gay-marriage/714595)
**Author:** [@Darth\_Panda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Panda)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [March 11, 2015, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/koch-brother-files-brief-in-support-of-gay-marriage/714595 "2015-03-11T22:50:11Z")
As part of DeBoer v. Snyder, David Koch, of Koch brothers fame, is filing a brief in his personal capcity in support of gay marriage. http://www.politico.com/story/2015/03/david-koch-gay-marriage-amicus-brief-115752.ht… --- ## [Gave my gf roses; she threw them in the trash.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gave-my-gf-roses-she-threw-them-in-the-trash/714530)
**Author:** [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [March 11, 2015, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gave-my-gf-roses-she-threw-them-in-the-trash/714530 "2015-03-11T21:47:46Z")
I’m kind of surprised how long they held up. Valentine’s Day roses lasting into March! Sure they were kind of dried out, but they were still purty. --- ## [Quadrupling (or longer!) the Life of Razor Blades – a Shaving Thread: spend only $500, not $8,000](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quadrupling-or-longer-the-life-of-razor-blades-a-shaving-thread-spend-only-500-not-8-000/713862)
**Author:** [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [March 11, 2015, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quadrupling-or-longer-the-life-of-razor-blades-a-shaving-thread-spend-only-500-not-8-000/713862 "2015-03-11T20:57:14Z")
This is a little lengthy. The TLDR version is: this info will save me $7,500 over the course of my expected (God-willing) hopeful lifetime. Instead of spending $8,000 on razor blades in my life I will instead spend only … --- ## [So we're Fedexing junk mail now (Sprint)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-were-fedexing-junk-mail-now-sprint/714642)
**Author:** [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [March 11, 2015, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-were-fedexing-junk-mail-now-sprint/714642 "2015-03-11T19:03:19Z")
Arrived home this evening to find a Fedex envelope leaning up against my door. This piques my interest, as I pretty much never receive any kind of express mail unless it’s something I ordered from Amazon. So, what could … --- ## [Crazy shit you hear on the ski lift or elsewhere...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crazy-shit-you-hear-on-the-ski-lift-or-elsewhere/714611)
**Author:** [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [March 11, 2015, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crazy-shit-you-hear-on-the-ski-lift-or-elsewhere/714611 "2015-03-11T18:16:10Z")
A few weeks ago I was in Breckenridge skiing and ended up on the lift with a couple of younger guys. Both of them were snowboarders in their early to mid 20’s. Both of them also appeared to be somewhat high, or at leas… --- ## [Would anyone like to do a Valentine's Day Exchange?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-anyone-like-to-do-a-valentines-day-exchange/710599)
**Author:** [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Replies:** 100\ **Last updated:** [March 11, 2015, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-anyone-like-to-do-a-valentines-day-exchange/710599 "2015-03-11T12:50:55Z")
It’s bitter cold up here in the North. Actually, it’s warmed up - it’s 10 degrees now! I thought maybe there might be some interest. Here are past year’s rules: Rules: If you are currently registered on the SDMB AND i… --- ## [Cat Vectors](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-vectors/714471)
**Author:** [@Master\_Wang-Ka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Master_Wang-Ka)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [March 11, 2015, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cat-vectors/714471 "2015-03-11T00:12:26Z")
I have spent my morning making eggs and sausage, and plotting cat vectors. A regular house cat can top 32 miles an hour in short bursts. The amazing thing is that they require VERY LITTLE SPACE to build up to that speed… --- ## [How do those structured settlement brokers stay in business?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-those-structured-settlement-brokers-stay-in-business/714422)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2015, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-those-structured-settlement-brokers-stay-in-business/714422 "2015-03-10T18:39:51Z")
I’ve seen ads for at least two (J.G. Wentworth and another I can’t recall): businesses that buy structured settlements from people in exchange for cash up front. Now, it’s pretty obvious how they profit, but what I don’… --- ## [A little family history](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-little-family-history/714699)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2015, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-little-family-history/714699 "2015-03-10T17:28:02Z")
I came across this article about my great-granduncle (or is it ‘great-great-uncle’?). My dad’s youngest brother’s middle name came from my great-granduncle’s middle name. Mundane, pointless, sharing. --- ## [Could you once buy a quart or so of soda in a wax carton from takeout?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-once-buy-a-quart-or-so-of-soda-in-a-wax-carton-from-takeout/714391)
**Author:** [@Elemenopy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elemenopy)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2015, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-once-buy-a-quart-or-so-of-soda-in-a-wax-carton-from-takeout/714391 "2015-03-10T17:24:33Z")
Ok, talk about your mundane, pointless questions. But I seem to remember, back in the early 80s, my folks picking up pizza or Chinese food and also soda (maybe RC in particular) in an odd wax paper or maybe styrofoam ca… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/miscellaneous-and-personal-stuff-i-must-share/10.md?page=758) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/miscellaneous-and-personal-stuff-i-must-share/10.md?page=760)