# Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/miscellaneous-and-personal-stuff-i-must-share/10.md?page=850 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 851 --- ## [So, I deactivated my Facebook account today.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-deactivated-my-facebook-account-today/688279)
**Author:** [@OneCentStamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneCentStamp)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2014, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-deactivated-my-facebook-account-today/688279 "2014-05-14T02:43:24Z")
Depending on your own lifestyle and age, you may now be thinking any of the following: \[ol\] \[li\] “So what, I myself could take it or leave it anytime.”\[/li\]\[li\] “Why is this worth making a thread over? I’ve don’t even … --- ## [Historical events that seem out of place on the timeline?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/historical-events-that-seem-out-of-place-on-the-timeline/688341)
**Author:** [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2014, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/historical-events-that-seem-out-of-place-on-the-timeline/688341 "2014-05-13T22:44:51Z")
I came across these recently from various websites and found them really fascinating. Are there are any other examples you can think of? \[ul\] \[li\]Oxford University is older than the Aztec Empire.\[/li\]\[li\]Sharks have be… --- ## [Summer Vacation Plans?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summer-vacation-plans/688326)
**Author:** [@LavenderBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LavenderBlue)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2014, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summer-vacation-plans/688326 "2014-05-13T19:52:15Z")
We were going to do Israel / Greece to celebrate my 20th wedding anniversary but the (expletive deleted) new furnace took that money. So Washington DC / Wildwood NJ it is instead. My kids love the beach and a lot of the … --- ## [When/how is voice-recognition software going to get better?!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-how-is-voice-recognition-software-going-to-get-better/688361)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2014, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-how-is-voice-recognition-software-going-to-get-better/688361 "2014-05-13T16:56:47Z")
About 15 years ago I had a brief stint in a job where, among other things, I tried to sell Dragon NaturallySpeaking software to law firms. I never sold a single unit, and in fact I was not even impressed with the produc… --- ## [Reverse mortgage fiasco](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reverse-mortgage-fiasco/641092)
**Author:** [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Replies:** 100\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2014, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reverse-mortgage-fiasco/641092 "2014-05-13T14:52:25Z")
This was a story in the local paper the other day that should give anyone considering a reverse mortgage pause for thought. A retired local woman on a fixed income of about $740/mo took out a reverse mortgage on her pla… --- ## [Thought you'd find this funny: hilarious texts from random strangers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thought-youd-find-this-funny-hilarious-texts-from-random-strangers/688251)
**Author:** [@akaii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/akaii)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2014, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thought-youd-find-this-funny-hilarious-texts-from-random-strangers/688251 "2014-05-13T14:10:42Z")
Compilation of 15 screenshots of text message conversations between complete strangers! Thought I’d share it before I went to bed! Enjoy! :smiley: http://www.viralworthy.net/15-ridiculous-texts-from-perfect-strangers/ --- ## [Common Names](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/common-names/688267)
**Author:** [@BaldDudePeekskill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BaldDudePeekskill)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2014, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/common-names/688267 "2014-05-13T13:13:23Z")
I have a very uncommon surname and my given name is not all that common in the US, so I’ve always been jealous of people who had nice generic, easy-to-spell names…the only benefit of my name is that whenever my name is m… --- ## [Retiring to Hawaii (from a career of zombie fighting)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/retiring-to-hawaii-from-a-career-of-zombie-fighting/688288)
**Author:** [@rainy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rainy)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2014, 11:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/retiring-to-hawaii-from-a-career-of-zombie-fighting/688288 "2014-05-13T11:06:03Z")
The eldest little raindrop loves to think and discuss all things zombie. The other day he asked where the best place to go in the event of a zombie apocalypse…and by where he elaborated to mean where on the planet. We … --- ## [Self-reported doper behavior that would baffle you to encounter in the wild](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/self-reported-doper-behavior-that-would-baffle-you-to-encounter-in-the-wild/687580)
**Author:** [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Replies:** 86\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2014, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/self-reported-doper-behavior-that-would-baffle-you-to-encounter-in-the-wild/687580 "2014-05-13T01:20:27Z")
I think there are things that people say here with the assumption that the behavior is widespread that leave at least some people thinking “people do that?” I’m curious as to what those things might be. One poster com… --- ## ["Dating" site to find a Mom](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dating-site-to-find-a-mom/688259)
**Author:** [@Lucretia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucretia)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2014, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dating-site-to-find-a-mom/688259 "2014-05-13T00:57:18Z")
Seeing the various Mother’s Day inspired posts about less than ideal relationships with Moms has me thinking…I think someone should start website where adults who never had a satisfying relationship with their own moms c… --- ## [This is why I love sarcastic people!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-i-love-sarcastic-people/688252)
**Author:** [@akaii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/akaii)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2014, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-i-love-sarcastic-people/688252 "2014-05-12T22:45:32Z")
I had a friend complete go off about how sarcastic people get on her nerves but you know what? these pictures reminded me while i love sarcastic people so much! http://www.viralworthy.net/sarcastically-hilarious-comebac… --- ## [Things you do for work that no one gets...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-do-for-work-that-no-one-gets/686847)
**Author:** [@sleestak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sleestak)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2014, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-do-for-work-that-no-one-gets/686847 "2014-05-12T21:49:06Z")
So I am in midst of a rather major project at work. This involves our VM infrastructure. In a nut shell, our SAN is causing performance issues which cause SQL to send alerts. This is due to lun misalignment. So we have … --- ## [Possible food substitute](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-food-substitute/687808)
**Author:** [@Flyer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flyer)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2014, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-food-substitute/687808 "2014-05-12T20:59:01Z")
I stumbled across this New Yorker article and found it fascinating. If this works out, we just might – might – have a functional equivalent of the SF “meal in a pill.” --- ## [Who knew this was possible? Quick-thinking pilot brought plane to earth using giant parachute.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-knew-this-was-possible-quick-thinking-pilot-brought-plane-to-earth-using-giant-parachute/688171)
**Author:** [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2014, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-knew-this-was-possible-quick-thinking-pilot-brought-plane-to-earth-using-giant-parachute/688171 "2014-05-12T19:13:09Z")
‘Miraculous’ escape as aircraft plummets out of sky in Blue Mountains From one of the comments: --- ## [Haldane remains correct: new product](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/haldane-remains-correct-new-product/688188)
**Author:** [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2014, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/haldane-remains-correct-new-product/688188 "2014-05-12T18:43:51Z")
So I’m idly leafing through the Sunday NYT when an ad jumps off the page of the magazine at me. It’s a knife block. Shaped like a Gumbyesque male figure. With all the knives sticking through it. Called “The EX.” With tw… --- ## [Police Rescue Nude man from Porta-a-Potty](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/police-rescue-nude-man-from-porta-a-potty/452047)
**Author:** [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2014, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/police-rescue-nude-man-from-porta-a-potty/452047 "2014-05-12T18:43:17Z")
I’m SURE there’s a simple, rational explanation for this story: http://apnews.myway.com/article/20080606/D914O9GO0.html So, to wrap up: 1.) He was Nude 2.) He was Drunk 3.) He was stuck in the holding tank of the p… --- ## [Iran is building a supercarrier!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-is-building-a-supercarrier/688283)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2014, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-is-building-a-supercarrier/688283 "2014-05-12T18:32:13Z")
No, not really…they are building a mock up of one of the US’s supercarriers. I figure the speculation that they plan to use it for target practice (maybe by this, or these while watching it with this) is probably the c… --- ## [Cheap date in this city - no way!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-date-in-this-city-no-way/688278)
**Author:** [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2014, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheap-date-in-this-city-no-way/688278 "2014-05-12T17:20:07Z")
A simple date of a movie and burgers costs $121 in London. That’s insane. How do people date over there? \ Back in my day, I could take my girlfriend to dinner and a movie for $10, and still have change… --- ## [Mother's Day Forecast](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mothers-day-forecast/688166)
**Author:** [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2014, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mothers-day-forecast/688166 "2014-05-12T16:08:26Z")
Up to a foot of snow in Denver/Boulder tomorrow. It is not unusual for it to snow here in May, but the amounts they are talking about are astounding. Some places in the foothills could see up to three feet. It’s a per… --- ## [What's your take on Apple acquiring Beats for $3.2 billion?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-take-on-apple-acquiring-beats-for-3-2-billion/688232)
**Author:** [@Little\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Pig)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2014, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-take-on-apple-acquiring-beats-for-3-2-billion/688232 "2014-05-12T16:02:42Z")
Subscription services? How did Apple miss this? --- ## [Woman has neighbor's house trailer bulldozed.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woman-has-neighbors-house-trailer-bulldozed/688107)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2014, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woman-has-neighbors-house-trailer-bulldozed/688107 "2014-05-12T15:41:24Z")
She didn’t do things halfway. She wanted the trailer and their stinky septic system removed. :stuck\_out\_tongue: I guess this is similar to fed up neighbors throwing gas and a match on a vacant crack house. They draw in… --- ## [Hot air balloon fire](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-air-balloon-fire/688126)
**Author:** [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2014, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-air-balloon-fire/688126 "2014-05-12T13:52:27Z")
The news is reporting a hot air balloon that caught fire and crashed in Virginia - reports are sketchy and they have not yet located the wreckage, but it appears the balloon brushed a power line and there are photos and … --- ## [Circus skills trainer jailed for sexual abuse of children.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/circus-skills-trainer-jailed-for-sexual-abuse-of-children/688194)
**Author:** [@Teuton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Teuton)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2014, 8:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/circus-skills-trainer-jailed-for-sexual-abuse-of-children/688194 "2014-05-12T08:55:41Z")
It’s quite a local story, I think. I haven’t seen any national news coverage of it. But it’s quite a big story for me, as this man taught my kids. Now, he was never alone with either of them, but I had a fair amount of … --- ## [Italian Underground Saved 80% of the Jews in WWII.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/italian-underground-saved-80-of-the-jews-in-wwii/688155)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2014, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/italian-underground-saved-80-of-the-jews-in-wwii/688155 "2014-05-12T03:15:45Z")
I never knew for sure what life was like in Fascist Italy. They were certainly much better off than the Jewish population in any areas controlled by the Germans. One of the more chilling facts is what happened after Ital… --- ## [Hell freezes over.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hell-freezes-over/688117)
**Author:** [@Little\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Pig)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2014, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hell-freezes-over/688117 "2014-05-12T02:31:05Z")
Hell freezes over. Judge opens door to gay weddings in Arkansas. Piazza cited the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1967 decision that invalidated laws on interracial marriage. Here. --- ## [The MMP. That's it, just "The MMP".](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-mmp-thats-it-just-the-mmp/687700)
**Author:** [@dogbutler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dogbutler)\ **Replies:** 383\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2014, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-mmp-thats-it-just-the-mmp/687700 "2014-05-12T02:21:25Z")
Off on Monday again, it feels like Saturday. Of course last Saturday felt curiously like Sunday, so I dunno.:smiley: In any case I foresee laundry and hockey. Any other Mumper get Moandays off on a regular basis? --- ## [Mother's Day Frustrations](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mothers-day-frustrations/688120)
**Author:** [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2014, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mothers-day-frustrations/688120 "2014-05-12T01:28:13Z")
Mother’s Day is supposed to be this day when we honor our mothers for all the great things they have done for us. But, what about those Mother’s who were NOT so wonderful. Do you think people should be required to honor… --- ## [My handwriting has gone to shit....](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-handwriting-has-gone-to-shit/688118)
**Author:** [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [May 11, 2014, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-handwriting-has-gone-to-shit/688118 "2014-05-11T23:14:22Z")
I don’t write stuff anymore. Most of my ‘business’ is conducted online and my aunts and grandmas are dead so I don’t have to write ‘Thank You’ notes any longer. I can type like a muthafucker, but I’ve forgotten how to … --- ## [Hanna Kern (aka "Elizabeth Raines") and Miriam Weeks (aka "Belle Knox") fighting patriarchy.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hanna-kern-aka-elizabeth-raines-and-miriam-weeks-aka-belle-knox-fighting-patriarchy/688143)
**Author:** [@kstarnes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kstarnes)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [May 11, 2014, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hanna-kern-aka-elizabeth-raines-and-miriam-weeks-aka-belle-knox-fighting-patriarchy/688143 "2014-05-11T20:56:02Z")
Full story: True identity of med student 'Elizabeth Raine' who planned so sell her virginity to highest bidder | Daily Mail Online ‘It is no longer about the money,’ she wrote. 'Instead, very broadly, it is about how so… --- ## [Man wants to marry his porn-filled computer, draws parallel to gay marriage](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-wants-to-marry-his-porn-filled-computer-draws-parallel-to-gay-marriage/688084)
**Author:** [@chiroptera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chiroptera)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [May 11, 2014, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-wants-to-marry-his-porn-filled-computer-draws-parallel-to-gay-marriage/688084 "2014-05-11T19:40:46Z")
A Florida man addicted to porn has filed suit to marry his computer, claiming that it’s really no different to legalizing gay marriage. The smacky-head emoticon doesn’t even come close to expressing any right-thinking … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/miscellaneous-and-personal-stuff-i-must-share/10.md?page=849) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/miscellaneous-and-personal-stuff-i-must-share/10.md?page=851)